The Use of 3D Printing in the Fabrication of Nasal Stents

David Mills,Jennifer Woerner,Uday Jammalamadaka,Karthik Tappa,Jeffery Weisman

doi:10.3390/inventions3010001

David Mills, Jennifer Woerner + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions3010001

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Abstract

Nasoalveolar molding of the cleft lip, nose, and alveolar palate has been a successful strategy for the restoration of oronasal function and appearance, but it has some drawbacks. The temporary implant that is inserted before surgical reconstruction is a large appliance requiring numerous adjustments, it can irritate delicate soft tissues, and interfere with the infant’s ability to nurse or feed. In the early post-operative period and for months after cleft lip repair, patients wear standardized silicone stents that come in multiple sizes, but require significant sculpting to fit the unique cleft deformity. Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers the potential of highly personalized and patient-specific treatment. We developed a method that produces a customized 3D printed stent that matches the contours and unique features of each patient and permits modification and adjustments in size and shape as the patient ages. With 3D scanning technology, the device can be designed at the first visit to create an appliance that can be worn sequentially with minimal trauma, does not impede feeding, and a prosthesis that will improve compliance. The device will be worn intraorally to help shape the alveolus, lip, and nose before surgical repair. Furthermore, the stent can be doped with drugs as each patient’s case warrants.

Highlights

Recent advances in biofabrication and bioprinting (e.g., microcontact printing, inkjet printing, and three-dimensional (3D) printing) are enabling anywhere on-demand and patient-specific medical treatment [1,2,3]
The standard typical printing operation produces a 3D model that is based on a digital file through a layer-by-layer process that has the potential of producing almost any shape, internal geometry or external architecture [6,7]. 3D printing is most well-known for creating plastic prototypes, objects, and structures, rapidly, cheaply, and with a high degree of accuracy
Developments over the last ten years have shown that 3D printing has found its place in medicine, bio, and nanotechnology, paving the way for the rapid printing of medicine, artificial devices and prosthetics, and even human tissue [8,9,10]

Summary

Introduction

Recent advances in biofabrication and bioprinting (e.g., microcontact printing, inkjet printing, and three-dimensional (3D) printing) are enabling anywhere on-demand and patient-specific medical treatment [1,2,3]. Developed in the early 1990’s by Sachs et al, 3D printing technology was originally developed as a powder-based fabrication method for quick tool design and production using ceramics and various metals [4,5]. Developments over the last ten years have shown that 3D printing has found its place in medicine, bio-, and nanotechnology, paving the way for the rapid printing of medicine, artificial devices and prosthetics, and even human tissue [8,9,10]. There is an intense research effort focused on the application of 3D printing and bioprinting for the development of blood vessels [8,9,10], bioengineered tissues [11,12], and the production of functional biomedical materials and devices for dental and orthopedic applications [13,14,15,16]. The advantages offered by 3D printing include fast and accurate

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