Artificial Petrous Bone Produced by Stereolithography for Microsurgical Dissecting Exercises

Abstract

Training in microsurgery of the middle ear requires dissecting to be carried out on petrous bone. Human petrous bone structures are not available in adequate quantity to permit extensive practicing. Using synthetic resins, true reproductions of petrous bone can be obtained by means of a stereolithographic method, yielding structures of the petrous part which are highly similar to human bone. Digital data sets are obtained from spiral CT scans, and transferred to CAD systems such that, using stereolithography, petrous bone facsimiles are produced on the parametric model. Any number of such models of an original can be produced. Thus, identical structures can be made available for a wide range of uses. Exercises conducted on artificial petrous bone so produced are equivalent to those carried out on human structures, in terms of material properties and visualisation of anatomic details.

Three-dimensional anatomical accuracy of cranial models created by rapid prototyping techniques validated using a neuronavigation station

“…13,14 Several authors have seen the potential in these techniques to create models that can be used to train doctors in various fields. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][1][2][3][4]22,27 Suzuki et al 3 described this technique in creating the mastoid bone to allow surgeons to train in drilling techniques in this area.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] In neurosurgery and ear, nose and throat surgery the application of computerised navigation systems for guiding surgery has been expanding rapidly since 2000. 10 These systems are used to plan and define tumours and vital structures and to track surgical instruments.…”

Three-dimensional laryngeal model for planning of laryngeal framework surgery

“…They have been used extensively for designing and manufacturing prototypes in the field of engineering and technology [12,13]. In recent years, stereolithography has been applied to create models of the skull, mandible and ear [14,15]. However, these models are not suitable for drilling, as the material is solid plastic.…”

Application of a rapid-prototyped temporal bone model for surgical planning

“…In recent years, stereolithography has been applied to create models of the skull, mandible and ear [6,7]. However, these models are not suitable for drilling, as they are made from solid plastic.…”