Annals of 3D printed medicine最新文献

We aimed to introduce a novel semi-automatic design approach for fabricating individualized, three-dimensional printed template dedicated to interstitial brachytherapy in vaginal tumor treatment. The central component of this concept involved the development of a cylindrical template with strategically placed tunnels to optimize applicator placement. These tunnels originated from the template's base, meticulously designed to prevent any potential overlap or interference. For precise tumor localization, we employed a method wherein the tumor's mask image was projected onto a spherical surface. Subsequently, we employed the k-means algorithm to segment the terminal points, with each cluster's center serving as the terminal point. To ensure the optimal starting point for the tunnels, we utilized the conjugate gradient method, considering the following factors: inter-starting point distance, angles between tunnels, inter-tunnel distance, and the starting point's position relative to the base of the template (inside or outside). We established a semi-automatic design paradigm for fabricating three-dimensional printed template tailored for vaginal brachytherapy. While our initial findings are promising, further comprehensive investigations are imperative to validate the clinical efficacy of this innovative concept.

Personalized medicine is the need of today's era, as one therapy does not fit all. The study aims to develop a novel patient-customized formulation using the integration of 3-D printing and Nanotechnology concepts. Valsartan (VLS) was chosen as a model drug for the study due to its poor bioavailability and dose-dependent toxicity. The Polycaprolactone (PCL)-VLS bionanoparticles (PCVBio) were formulated using a modified solvent evaporation method, inculcating the approach of Quality by Design (QbD). The amount of PCL and Polaxomer-188 (PLX) significantly influenced the PCVBio properties, which central composite design (CCD) ascertained. The results of DSC confirm the conversion of crystalline to amorphous structure. The zeta potential, PDI, and particle size ensure stability and nano size. The optimized PCVBio was further loaded into the multi-channel 3-D printed tablet (M3DPT). M3DPT was formulated by the fused deposition modeling method. The process parameters,% infill, and layer height significantly influenced the tablet's quality. The PCVbio M3DPT was able to release the VLS up to 12 h. The optimal formulation was found stable and effective. The new conjugated advanced formulation will improve the effectiveness, safety, and patient adherence. It unlocks the new research direction toward improving patients' lives.

Objective

Tendinous mallet finger injuries are normally treated conservatively by finger splinting, whereby the injured finger is immobilised in extension to allow the ruptured extensor tendon to heal. However, current splints including the Stack and Zimmer reported high failure rates of almost 50 %. Reasons are attributed to poor splint fit, skin complications and discomfort which cause non-compliance to splint regimens. To address the above mentioned issues, we designed and developed a 3D printed adjustable and customised finger splint.

Participants and interventions

The 3D printed finger splint, Zimmer and Stack splint were worn by 24 healthy volunteers on their middle fingers for 24 h.

Main outcome measures

The finger extension angle, splint fit, splint comfort and skin maceration were assessed via angle measurement and subjects’ feedback using a questionnaire.

Results

The 3D printed finger splint was capable to maintain the distal interphalangeal joint at an extended angle of 8.1° However, 70.8 % of the subjects reported that the 3D printed finger splint shifted or came off wholly during 24 h of wear. This proportion is higher compared to the Zimmer (45.8 %) and the Stack (37.5 %). While 91.7 % of the subjects were satisfied with the ease of wearing and removing the 3D printed finger splint, subjects experienced difficulty performing work and washing activities owing to the design and material.

Conclusion

Our proposed design fulfils its function of holding the fingertip in extension and improves ease of application. The design of 3D printed finger splint could be further refined to provide better splint fit and comfort, so as to achieve better treatment compliance.

Reproducibility of radiomics features necessitates that scanner noise be considered prior to feature extraction. Phantom research provides the opportunity for such ‘ground truth’ measurements, without the additional complication of patient-related factors. The aim of this technical note was to create a 3D printed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-compatible pelvic phantom that can be used for subsequent analysis of the impact of scanner noise on the reproducibility of radiomics features.

A 3D printed phantom of a male pelvis was created using fused deposition modelling technology. It was 3D printed using the high density MRI-compatible acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The ‘negative’ mould created was then filled with silicone, and the prostate gland and femoral heads were also simulated.

We successfully created an MRI-compatible 3D printed pelvic phantom, with a test scan. The phantom will subsequently be utilised to determine the impact of MRI scanner noise on radiomics feature reproducibility.

In this manuscript we assessed the utility of a low-cost 3D printed microscope to evaluate esophageal biopsies. We conducted a comparative analysis between the traditional microscope and our 3-D printed microscope, utilizing a set of esophageal biopsy samples obtained from patients undergoing screening endoscopy. Two pathologists independently examined 30 esophageal biopsies by light microscopy and digital images obtained using a low-cost 3D printed microscope (Observer 1 and 2). The glass slide consensus diagnosis was compared to the findings of 2 additional pathologist who independently just reviewed the digital images (Observer 3 and 4). The intra-observer agreement was substantial to almost perfect for observer 1 (k:0.64) and 2 (k:0.84). All four observers had 100 % sensitivity and negative predictive value, whereas specificity ranged from 59 % to 100 % and positive predictive value ranged from 21 % to 100 %. The PPV and specificity were lower for the two Observers (3 and 4) who just examined the digital images. Overall, our results suggest that telepathology may be used with high sensitivity and specificity, utilizing the pictures produced by our 3D-printed microscope.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is developing as a dominant tool for biomedical engineering by supporting 3D cell culture within compound 3D biomimetic buildings. Biomaterial and Tissue engineering has developed as a favorable alternative method in the treatment of bones, teeth, and organs. This paper summarizes the current research status and attention of the 3D biomaterials scaffolds in bone tissue engineering applications. Several 3D scaffolds fabricated from several types of biodegradable materials have been established. The crucial topics of 3D printing techniques are recognized and deliberated with the future improvement of innovative biomaterials. There has been a prompt development in the applications of 3D printing in engineering customized implants, drug delivery devices, prostheses, and 3D scaffolds for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Medical 3D printing technologies are classified into the following categories: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Extrusion-based 3D bioprinting, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)/Selective Laser melting (SLM), Electron Beam Manufacturing (EBM), Stereolithography (SLA) and Digital Light Processing (DLP) printing techniques, and their clinical applications, different types of biomaterials currently used by researchers, and key limitations are discussed in detail. In Addition, the most advanced and commonly used metals, bioceramics, polymers, and composites in tissue engineering are briefly reviewed as well.

Osteonecrosis of the midfoot is a rare but debilitating pathology that can severely decrease quality of life. Surgical treatment is often complex and can lead to suboptimal outcomes. Additive manufacturing or 3D printing can provide a more patient specific approach to address these difficult entities. This case report highlights the successful use of custom 3D printed implants to replace the navicular and cuboid bones for treatment of osteonecrosis by providing a unique mixture of joint fusion and resurfacing interfaces in a 47-year-old active female. At the final follow up of 30 months, the patient continues to express satisfaction with her procedure and perform physical activities without pain.

The work proposes a perspective on 3D printing in the medical field. The current core applications, which are primarily bioprinting, models in surgery preparation, surgical instruments, prosthetics, drugs, drug delivery systems, streamlined drug development process, and educational medical models, are first reported. The challenges and opportunities of the technology are highlighted, and the present and expected future markets of the technology are considered. The further developments from synergies with artificial intelligence (AI), 4D printing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) is finally examined to provide a comprehensive outlook of where we are, and where we are after, subjected to which constraints.