Stereolithography (medicine)

Stereolithographic model of a skull, using an infrared system

Stereolithographic models have been used in medicine since the 1990s,[1] for creating 3D corporeal models of various anatomical regions of a patient, based on datasets from CT-scans.

Usage

Medical Modelling Process

The process of medical modelling involves several stages including image acquisition, image segmentation, data translation, model building and post-processing.[3] Medical modelling involves first acquiring a 3D CT scan (or other form of scan data). The CT data should be in a suitable format and acquired using suitable parameters to obtain a high quality model.[4] This data consists of a series of cross sectional images of the human anatomy. In these images different tissues show up as different levels of grey. Selecting a range of grey values enables specific tissues to be isolated. A region of interest is then selected and all the pixels connected to the target point within that grey value range are selected. This enables a specific organ to be selected. Most frequently this will be bone but it could be any tissue that can be identified in the scan image. This process is referred to as segmentation. The segmented data may then be interpolated and have other processes performed on it to translate it into a format suitable for the stereolithography process.

Whilst the stereolithography process is inherently accurate the accuracy of a medical model depends on many factors, especially the operator performing the segmentation correctly. There are potential errors possible when making medical models using stereolithography but these are easy to avoid with practice and well trained operators.[5]

Commercial Services

There are several specialist companies that provide medical modelling services such as for example PDR in the United Kingdom, Medical Modeling Inc. in the USA and Materialise in Belgium. As Rapid Prototyping machines become more affordable many hospitals are investing in their own medical modelling facilities.

References

  1. Klimek, L; Klein HM; Schneider W; Mosges R; Schmelzer B; Voy ED (1993). "Stereolithographic modelling for reconstructive head surgery". Acta Oto-Rhino-Laryngologica Belgica 47 (3): 329–34.
  2. Bouyssie, JF; Bouyssie S; Sharrock P; Duran D (1997). "Stereolithographic models derived from x-ray computed tomography. Reproduction accuracy". Surgical & Radiologic Anatomy 19 (3): 193–9.
  3. Bibb, Richard (2006). Medical Modelling: the application of advanced design and development technologies in medicine. Cambridge: Woodhead Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-84569-138-5.
  4. Winder, RJ; Bibb, R (2009). "A Review of the Issues Surrounding Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Medical Modelling using Rapid Prototyping Techniques". Radiography 16: 78–83. doi:10.1016/j.radi.2009.10.005.
  5. Winder, RJ; Bibb, R (2005). "Medical Rapid Prototyping Technologies: State of the Art and Current Limitations for Application in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery". Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 63 (7): 1006–15. doi:10.1016/j.joms.2005.03.016.
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