Use Of 3-dimensional Printing Research Articles

Komparativna studija kosti dobivene 3D printanjem i njezinog originalnog modela

3-dimensional printing, which appeared in the 1980s and has been constantly evolving since, is an innovative and very promising technology. It is a tool with wide-reaching applications in the field of osteology and anatomy and also in the world of education. Thanks to its qualities, it is possible to print entire anatomical parts in numerous copies. This experimental study examined the dimensions of 3-dimensional printing of the right femur of a sheep in comparison with its digital and printed models. A 3D scanner was used to design the digital model and a 3D printer to produce the scanned bone using polyamide (PA12) as the material. Nearly all the original anatomical features of biological bone were well resolved, except for the depth of the nourishing foramen. The measureddimensions of the 3D printed model and the digital model were compared to those of the original biological specimen, and showed no significant difference. Regarding the results obtained and the slight error of 1 mm, 3D printed models can be used as an aid inanatomy lessons and can serve as reliable alternatives to classical anatomical parts in the study of the veterinary anatomy. To the extent of our knowledge, this is the study on the use of 3-dimensional printing in veterinary medicine in Algeria.

Use of 3-dimensional printing at the point-of-care to manage a complex wound in hemifacial necrotizing fasciitis: a case report

BackgroundComplex facial wounds can be difficult to stabilize due to proximity of vital structures. We present a case in which a patient-specific wound splint was manufactured using computer assisted design and three-dimensional printing at the point-of-care to allow for wound stabilization in the setting of hemifacial necrotizing fasciitis. We also describe the process and implementation of the United States Food and Drug Administration Expanded Access for Medical Devices Emergency Use mechanism.Case presentationA 58-year-old female presented with necrotizing fasciitis of the neck and hemiface. After multiple debridements, she remained critically ill with poor vascularity of tissue in the wound bed and no evidence of healthy granulation tissue and concern for additional breakdown towards the right orbit, mediastinum, and pretracheal soft tissues, precluding tracheostomy placement despite prolonged intubation. A negative pressure wound vacuum was considered for improved healing, but proximity to the eye raised concern for vision loss due to traction injury. As a solution, under the Food and Drug Administration’s Expanded Access for Medical Devices Emergency Use mechanism, we designed a three-dimensional printed, patient-specific silicone wound splint from a CT scan, allowing the wound vacuum to be secured to the splint rather than the eyelid.After 5 days of splint-assisted vacuum therapy, the wound bed stabilized with no residual purulence and developed healthy granulation tissue, without injury to the eye or lower lid. With continued vacuum therapy, the wound contracted to allow for safe tracheostomy placement, ventilator liberation, oral intake, and hemifacial reconstruction with a myofascial pectoralis muscle flap and a paramedian forehead flap 1 month later. She was eventually decannulated and at six-month follow-up has excellent wound healing and periorbital function.ConclusionsPatient-specific, three-dimensional printing is an innovative solution that can facilitate safe placement of negative pressure wound therapy adjacent to delicate structures. This report also demonstrates feasibility of point-of-care manufacturing of customized devices for optimizing complex wound management in the head and neck, and describes successful use of the United States Food and Drug Administration’s Expanded Access for Medical Devices Emergency Use mechanism.

Controversies and Contemporary Management of Orbital Floor Fractures.

Substantial controversy exists regarding the timing of intervention and management of patients with orbital floor fractures. Recent advances in computer-aided technology, including the use of 3-dimensional printing, intraoperative navigational imaging, and the use of novel implants, have allowed for improvement in prospective management modalities. As such, this article aims to review the indications and timing of repair, surgical approaches, materials used for repair, and contemporary adjuncts to repair. Indications for orbital floor fracture repair remain controversial as many of these fractures heal without intervention or adverse sequelae. Intraoperative navigation and imaging, as well as endoscopic guidance, can improve visualization of defects mitigating implant positioning errors, thereby reducing the need for secondary corrective procedures. Patient-specific implants may be constructed to fit the individual patient's anatomy using the preoperative CT dataset and mirroring the contralateral unaffected side and have been shown to improve pre-operative efficiency and minimize postoperative complications. With increased data, we can hope to form evidence-based indications for using particular biomaterials and the criteria for orbital defect characteristics, which may be best addressed by a specific surgical approach.

The Use of 3-Dimensional Printing in Orthopedic Education: Improving Trainees’ Confidence Managing Triplane Fractures

With the advent of three-dimensional (3D) printers and the advancement of medical imaging software, 3D printing is being incorporated into the medical field in myriad ways. .

A 3D printed mechanical bioreactor for investigating mechanobiology and soft tissue mechanics

Mechanical loading is an important cue for directing stem cell fate and engineered tissue formation in vitro. Stem cells cultured on 2-dimensional (D) substrates and in 3D scaffolds have been shown to differentiate toward bone, tendon, cartilage, ligament, and skeletal muscle lineages depending on their exposure to mechanical stimuli. To apply this mechanical stimulus in vitro, mechanical bioreactors are needed. However, current bioreactor systems are challenged by their high cost, limited ability for customization, and lack of force measurement capabilities. We demonstrate the use of 3-dimensional printing (3DP) technology to design and fabricate a low-cost custom bioreactor system that can be used to apply controlled mechanical stimuli to cells in culture and measure the mechanical properties of small soft tissues. The results of our in vitro studies and mechanical evaluations show that 3DP technology is feasible as a platform for developing a low-cost, customizable, and multifunctional mechanical bioreactor system.• 3DP technology was used to print a multifunctional bioreactor system/tensile load frame for a fraction of the cost of commercial systems.• The system mechanically stimulated cells in culture and evaluated the mechanical properties of soft tissues.• This system is easily customizable and can be used to evaluate multiple types of soft tissues.

Systematic Review of the Use of 3-Dimensional Printing in Surgical Teaching and Assessment

The use of 3-dimensional (3D) printing in medicine has rapidly expanded in recent years as the technology has developed. The potential uses of 3D printing are manifold. This article provides a systematic review of the uses of 3D printing within surgical training and assessment. A structured literature search of the major literature databases was performed in adherence to PRISMA guidelines. Articles that met predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were appraised with respect to the key objectives of the review and sources of bias were analysed. Overall, 49 studies were identified for inclusion in the qualitative analysis. Heterogeneity in study design and outcome measures used prohibited meaningful meta-analysis. 3D printing has been used in surgical training across a broad range of specialities but most commonly in neurosurgery and otorhinolaryngology. Both objective and subjective outcome measures have been studied, demonstrating the usage of 3D printed models in training and education. 3D printing has also been used in anatomical education and preoperative planning, demonstrating improved outcomes when compared to traditional educational methods and improved patient outcomes, respectively. 3D printing technology has a broad range of potential applications within surgical education and training. Although the field is still in its relative infancy, several studies have already demonstrated its usage both instead of and in addition to traditional educational methods.

Use of 3-Dimensional Printing to Create Patient-Specific Thoracic Spine Models as Task Trainers.

Thoracic epidural anesthesia is a technically challenging procedure with a high failure rate of 24% to 32% nationwide. Residents in anesthesiology have limited opportunities to practice this technique adequately, and there are no training tools available for this purpose. Our objective was to build a low-cost patient-specific thoracic epidural training model. We obtained thoracic computed tomography scan data from patients with normal and kyphotic spine. The thoracic spine was segmented from the scan, and a 3-dimensional model of the spine was generated and printed. It was then placed in a customized wooden box and filled with different types of silicone to mimic human tissues. Attending physicians in our institution then tested the final model. They were asked to fill out a brief questionnaire after the identification of the landmarks and epidural space using ultrasound and real-time performance for a thoracic epidural on the model (Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/AAP/A197). Likert scoring system was used for scoring. The time to develop this simulator model took less than 4 days, and the materials cost approximately $400. Fourteen physicians tested the model for determining the realistic sensation while palpating the spinous process, needle entry through the silicone, the "pop" sensation and ultrasound fidelity of the model. Whereas the tactile fidelity scores were "neutral" (3.08, 3.06, and 3.0, respectively), the ultrasound guidance and overall suitability for residents were highly rated as being the most realistic (4.85 and 4.0, respectively). It is possible to develop homemade, low-cost, patient-specific, and high-fidelity ultrasound guidance simulators for resident training in thoracic epidurals using 3-dimensional printing technology.

Three-dimensional printing-guided percutaneous transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect with rim deficiency: First-in-human series.

This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the use of 3-dimensional printing (3DP) for the percutaneous transcatheter closure of a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) with rim deficiency less than 5 mm. Patients with ASD were scanned using multi-slice computed tomography to acquire raw data for virtual 3DP reconstruction models. Different ASD occluders were tried on the 3DP models to select the optimal size for intraoperative use. The patients were followed up 1 month postoperatively, and 3DP models were again manufactured to observe the operative effects. From January to April 2016, 6 patients (5 females and 1 male) were recruited. Their average age was 29.5 ± 17.6 years, and the mean ASD size was 13.4 ± 1.3 mm. ASD occlusion succeeded in 5 of 6 cases. There were 1, 2, and 3 cases with 0-mm distance from the defect rim to the aorta, inferior vena cava, and superior vena cava, respectively. ASD occluder sizes were consistent between preoperative simulation and intraoperative placement in 4 cases. One case had occluder size change from 30 mm to 34 mm. A 3DP model presents ASD in a more visible way and allows more direct preoperative simulation to choose the most appropriate size of occluder, as compared with conventional imaging techniques. This technique is likely to extend the current indications for ASD with an insufficient rim.

Use of 3-Dimensional Printing for Preoperative Planning in the Treatment of Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability

Recurrent anterior shoulder instability often results from large bony Bankart or Hill-Sachs lesions. Preoperative imaging is essential in guiding our surgical management of patients with these conditions. However, we are often limited to making an attempt to interpret a 3-dimensional (3D) structure using conventional 2-dimensional imaging. In cases in which complex anatomy or bony defects are encountered, this type of imaging is often inadequate. We used 3D printing to produce a solid 3D model of a glenohumeral joint from a young patient with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and complex Bankart and Hill-Sachs lesions. The 3D model from our patient was used in the preoperative planning stages of an arthroscopic Bankart repair and remplissage to determine the depth of the Hill-Sachs lesion and the degree of abduction and external rotation at which the Hill-Sachs lesion engaged.

Use of 3-Dimensional Printing in Spine Care

Use of 3-Dimensional Printing in Spine Care

Use of 3-Dimensional Printing in Spine Care

Use of 3-Dimensional Printing in Spine Care