Creation of Anatomically Correct and Optimized for 3D Printing Human Bones Models

Abstract

Educational institutions in several countries state that the education sector should be modernized to ensure a contemporary, individualized, and more open learning process by introducing and developing advance digital solutions and learning tools. Visualization along with 3D printing have already found their implementation in different medical fields in Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, and Rīga Stradiņš University, where models are being used for prosthetic manufacturing, surgery planning, simulation of procedures, and student education. The study aimed to develop a detailed methodology for the creation of anatomically correct and optimized models for 3D printing from radiological data using only free and widely available software. In this study, only free and cross-platform software from widely available internet sources has been used—“Meshmixer”, “3D Slicer”, and “Meshlab”. For 3D printing, the Ultimaker 5S 3D printer along with PLA material was used. In its turn, radiological data have been obtained from the “New Mexico Decedent Image Database”. In total, 28 models have been optimized and printed. The developed methodology can be used to create new models from scratch, which can be used will find implementation in different medical and scientific fields—simulation processes, anthropology, 3D printing, bioprinting, and education.

Custom Massive Allograft in a Case of Pelvic Bone Tumour: Simulation of Processing with Computerised Numerical Control vs. Robotic Machining

“…The first part of the process described in Figure 1 , regarding CT segmentation, reconstruction, and the design of the allograft, is normally applied for 3D printing of bone models [ 54 , 55 ] or in the design of small allografts but, as it is shown in Figure 2 , can be also applied to the design of massive bone allograft. It is worth noting that the used segmentation software, 3D Slicer, is an open-source platform with many tool that make it complex to use; therefore, there are multiple tools and methods to obtain the same result.…”

Simulated Surgical Model Design for Myringotomy and Tympanostomy Tube Insertion in Children using Medical Image Processing and 3D-Printing Technologies

“…2D image data processing in Mimics software makes it possible to generate three-dimensional models in stereolithography (.stl) file format that can be designed on a computer-aided design software (Pixologic ZBrush). [15][16][17] Connective parts between ears and head were designed, and model head circumference was adjusted to match average data from World Health Organization (WHO). Standard ratios of model perimeters as follows; group A: 52 -54 cm, group B: 49 -51 cm and group C: 45 -48 cm.…”

3D Printing and Implementation of Digital Twins: Current Trends and Limitations

“…There are also other such cases which primarily use techniques such as the finite element method, finite difference and level set methods as well as fluidic volume estimations, which are more likely to be defined under the term "simulation" than the term "Digital Twin" [61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68]. While this can be attributed to terminology, since the term digital twin is a term that has very recently arisen, in most cases computational methods and experimental-sensor-derived datasets are being utilized in a fragmented way and not under the greater umbrella of a digital twin model.…”