Computer generated mandibular model: Surgical role

Abstract

A life-size nylon model of a traumatized mandible was produced from CT scan data by the process of laser sintering. The model was used for pre-operative planning and for production of surgical aids in order to facilitate the restoration of a large bony defect. Vascularized iliac crest bone was harvested, titanium implants placed and the bone then grafted to the mandible.

Basics and applications of rapid prototyping medical models

“…Medical imaging technologies are generally used to visualize the configurations of bones, organs and tissues, but they also have the ability to export scanned image data and additional information in commonly known medical file format, such as digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) (Berce et al, 2005;Rengier et al, 2010), and finally make it possible to convert scanned image data from DICOM to STL file format, which is a universally accepted RP file format (Milovanovic and Trajanovic, 2007). Most commonly, CT, MRI and laser digitizing techniques are used for this purpose, others are cone beam tomography, X-ray, ultrasound and others (Abbott et al, 1998;Chang et al, 1991;Lambrecht et al, 2009;Liu et al, 2006;Meakin et al, 2004;Schievano et al, 2010). It provides important scanned data of anatomical structure for diagnostic reasons, and same data can be used to obtain geometrical information of the body structures for 3D modeling.…”

Advances in the management of the craniosynostoses

“…As resolution has improved, 3‐D images give the surgeon a very good idea of how craniofacial deformity might be corrected surgically. Similarly accurate 3‐D nylon or plastic models of the craniofacial skeleton 34−36 enable on‐table planning, particularly where distraction apparatus is to be applied, as well as the ability to perform multidirectional surgery in a much more accurate way than was previously available with mounted plaster models of the dentition (Fig. 4).…”