Re: [rp-ml] 3D Printing for Medical Research

Crispin,

I understand what you are saying. I may have needed to clarify my intentions with this project more specifically. I intend to publish results, in surgical journals, of these techniques being performed in the lower extremity, for the diseases mentioned (specifically Charcot Neuroarthropathy). As I stated before, it has not previously been reported to my knowledge, but please share if you know otherwise. Furthermore, I've managed to utilize a number of Free and Opensource software to mediate this process VS propriety and expensive solutions from publicly traded companies, etc.

I am, however, aware of the fantastic work/progress made in maxiofaciallary prosthesis. I believe this work, as well the companies (such as yours), have and will become standard medical integration, rather an expensive niche. Ultimately, I hope to add to the published clinical/surgical data in existence, because that is what determines medical and insurance coverage in America.

There will be several uses of Reprap technology for medicine, but without volumes of published research to back all of it up along the way, we are faced with a dilemma. Many practicing physicians and surgeons are unable to take advantage of your companies services for the obstacle of cost alone.

Nicholas Giovinco
Dr. Glass DPM - Video Podcast
www.youtube.com/DrGlassDPM
www.drglass.org
glass.dpm@gmail.com

On 12Jul, 2011, at 9:20 AM, Crispin Weinberg wrote:

> Dear Nick,
>
> It may interest you to know RP models have been used extensively in surgery for over 15 years (see Arvier et al, 1994, British Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery 32: 276-283). Walter Reed Hospital has an extensive RP facility and at least four companies have been been making anatomical models commercially since the the late 1990's: Anatomics in Australia, Materialise in Belgium, Medical Modeling in Colorado, and Biomedical Modeling in Massachusetts. Many thousands of these models have been used for visualization, surgical planning, rehearsal and pre-fabricating prostheses such as cranial plates, so it is hardly an unexplored area. There are several USP class VI resins available. A more recent trend is direct fabrication of prostheses either in metal such as Titanium or implantable resins such as PEEK.
>
> In the late '90s and early '00s, Paul d'Urso in Australia and the European Phidias Network extensively studied the use of RP tools in medicine including effects on OR time, complications, and patient understanding. RepRap or similar inexpensive FDM technologies can certainly lower the cost and make the technology more widespread, but will require validation of accuracy on anatomical shapes which tend to have more curves and overhangs than the simple shapes used for spec sheets.
>
> Good luck with your project,
> Crispin
>
> Crispin B. Weinberg, Ph.D.
> Biomedical Modeling Inc.
> 167 Corey Road, Suite 111
> Boston MA 02135
>
> Tel: 617-738-8168 or 1-888-246-6633
> Fax: 617-738-8165 or 1-888-232-9246
> www.biomodel.com
> crispin@biomodel.com
>
>
>
>
>
> On 7/11/2011 11:11 PM, Dr. Glass DPM wrote:
>>
>> Hello all,
>>
>> My Name is Nicholas Giovinco, and I am a medical/surgical resident in Atlanta, Georgia. I'm currently working through the pilot phase of a research project, whereby I'm using Reprap technology to print physical models/templates of patient anatomy (after severe deformity or traumatic insult). These models are reconstructed from high resolution scans of patient's lower extremity and eventually become STL files, such as http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10661524/foot.stl
>>
>> I've managed to get some test prints of this file, which look like: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/10661524/Rgt_Side_Foot-bck.jpg This model is a patient with a Calcaneal fracture, as depicted.
>>
>> As far as the gross anatomic shape, this is where the printed models will be used for preoperative planning. People with complex deformities like
>> Charcot Foot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G9ZZ0MfbkU
>> Pilon Tibial/Ankle fractures - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb2Hx6r3PAQ
>> Calcaneal fractures such as the foot model linked above
>>
>> Surgical reconstruction of these feet is often challenging and can be unpredictable. My goal with this medical/surgical research is to make prints of the patients pathology, and be able to plan and prepare for the case by having a practice template. This idea is somewhat unexplored in the surgical realm, as it is often an expensive endeavor
>> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21613771.
>>
>> In the year 2011, I feel that the increase in technology and the decrease in cost is right for this to become common practice, soon. So far my pilot looks a little something like this:
>> -Patient Pathology imaged with CT
>> -CT -> Print
>> -Print -> Surgeon for preoperative preparation/practice
>>
>> The hypothesis is that surgical outcome will improve, as measurement of OR time, complications, and overall decrease in intra-operative stress. This will also reduce the cost of surgery, by not requiring expensive hardware or biologic supplements, because a more sound and cost efficient hardware construct will be applied. (plates, screws, frames, etc...)
>>
>> I just wanted to introduce myself to this mailing list and send a shout out to the FreesideAtlanta.org Space for their help in making it this far. It's looking like a promising study, that would be a huge "here and now" demonstration of Reprap technology at work in the medical field.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Nick
>> www.youtube.com/DrGlassDPM
>> www.drglass.org
>> glass.dpm@gmail.com
>>
Received on Sat Jul 23 23:11:27 2011