Optimization of Rapid Prototyping Technology for Advanced Medical Applications

Abstract

Abstract:The application of the two technologies: reverse engineering and rapid prototyping is emerging rapidly in the medical applications. These engineering methods have especially shown fast advancement in the following applications: in very complex preparation of computer aided surgery, computer guided implantology, non-invasive diagnostic from CT and MRI scans, design of customized implants, maxillofacial surgery, esthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, etc. This research has a multidisciplinary approach; it requires a team work of experts from various scientific fields such as CAD design and virtual engineering, digital image processing, medicine, implantology. Only a very few applicative pioneer steps have been made so far in Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and SE Europe in general.The aim of this research is to make a contribution to the optimization of all three phases: preprocessing, processing and post-processing in the process chain of reverse engineering -rapid prototyping in the medical applications. The optimal process of rapid prototyping has been defined for different medical input data and formats. The process includes internal 3d reconstruction of CT and MRI scanning in DICOM format, such as applications in orthopedic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, prosthetic dentistry, such as complex or total prosthesis, as well as the external surface reconstruction by 3d scanning, such as esthetic surgery and reconstruction plastic surgery or dentistry based on 3d scanning from elastic silicone impression.

3d Printing and 3d Bioprinting to Use for Medical Applications

“…World-renowned researchers are working on the use of stem cells for bioprinting, which can be obtained from the fat tissue of the patient. Stem cells are then transformed into a laboratory cell conglomerate and filled into bioprinter cartridge, to process biofabricationformed corresponding tissues and organs [1,2,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. According to the same sources, in the next decade, it is expected to come to the point where full biofabrication could be: (i) human skin, (ii) complete human organs: kidney, heart, liver, pancreas, etc., (iii) biofabrication of bones, (iv) bioprosthetic lamination, (v) biofabrication of body parts.…”

“…With the help of "Organ bioprinting technology" -The technology of futures, the organs of the human body will be printed and reconstructed in the near future. Moscow scientists have opened the first bioprinting laboratory "3D Bioprinting Solutions" -Moscow, on the whole with prof. Vladimir Mironov started with the project of bioprinting human organs [2,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. The aim is to replace the donor organs with bio print organs that are grown from the patient's own cells, which will be completely biologically compatible with his organism.…”

“…The aim is to replace the donor organs with bio print organs that are grown from the patient's own cells, which will be completely biologically compatible with his organism. Previous research shows that it will be easier to adapt to the body and that organ rejection will not occur, as opposed to donor organs that the organism often rejects [1,2,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]. The procedure goes so that the first 3D model of the future organ is created with all external and internal forms, including the blood vessels.…”

“…The printed organ structure with 3D bioprinters is then placed in a bioreactor, where under the action of the simulator there is an accelerated tissue ripening. Main steps in organ printing technology are: (i) Preprocessing, (ii) Processing and (iii) Postprocessing [1,2,[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30].…”