Auto-level System on 3D Printer Bed Using Arduino and 3D Touch Probe Sensor

Three-dimensional printed titanium pseudo-prosthesis for the treatment of a tumoral bone defect

Objective To explore the application value of three-dimensional (3D) printing in skull base tumor resection. Methods Fourteen patients accepted resection of skull base tumors in our hospital from May 2016 to November 2017 were chosen in our study; before surgery, solid models of the tumors, having bones of the skull base, tumor tissues and main blood supply arteries, were established by 3D printing; resection was simulated in these models and the surgical approaches and surgical methods were determined accordingly. The disease history, preoperative and postoperative imaging data were analyzed retrospectively. Results The mean time for making a solid model of the tumors was 18.5 h, and the cost was about 5,000 Yuan. Postoperative CT and MR imaging showed that total excision was achieved in 8 patients, subtotal excision was achieved in 5 patients, and one with tumor of the jugular foramen achieved total excision of the intracranial tumor and subtotal excision of the extracranial tumor. One patient had large hemispheric infarction after operation and decompressive craniectomy was performed; the other 13 patients recovered well without serious complications or death. Conclusion The 3D printing technique can assist the preoperative simulation and formulation of skull base tumor resection, and improve the efficiency and safety of the operation. Key words: Three-dimensional printing; Tumor of base of skull; Tumor resection

4D printing: Pragmatic progression in biofabrication

Bolus is commonly used in radiation therapy to improve radiation dose distribution to the target volume, but commercially available products do not always conform well to the patient surface. Tumor control may be compromised, particularly for superficial tumors, if bolus does not conform well and air gaps exist between the patient surface and the bolus. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology allows the creation of highly detailed, variable shaped objects, making it an attractive and affordable option for customized, patient-specific bolus creation. The use of 3D printing in the clinical setting remains limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the implications on time and clinical fit using a workflow for 3D printing of customized bolus in companion animals with spontaneous tumors treated with radiation therapy. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the time required to create a clinical 3D printed bolus. The secondary aims were to evaluate the clinical fit of the bolus and to verify the skin surface dose. Time to segmentation and 3D printing were documented, while the clinical fit of the bolus was assessed in comparison to the bolus created in the treatment planner. The mean and median time from segmentation to generation of 3D printed boluses was 6.15 h and 5.25 h, respectively. The 3D printed bolus was significantly less deviated from the planned bolus compared to the conventional bolus (p = 0.0078) with measured dose under the bolus within 5% agreement of expected dose in 88% of the measurements. Clinically acceptable 3D printed customized bolus was successfully created for treatment within one working day. The most significant impact on time is the 3D printing itself, which therefore has minimal implications on personnel and staffing. Quality assurance steps are recommended when implementing a 3D printing workflow to the radiotherapy clinic.

Chapter 2 - 3D printing and nanotechnology

Effect of food hydrocolloids on 3D meat-analog printing and deep-fat-frying

Incorporating enzymes with three-dimensional (3D) printing is an exciting new field of convergence research that holds infinite potential for creating highly customizable components with diverse and efficient biocatalytic properties. Enzymes, nature’s nanoscale protein-based catalysts, perform crucial functions in biological systems and play increasingly important roles in modern chemical processing methods, cascade reactions, and sensor technologies. Immobilizing enzymes on solid carriers facilitates their recovery and reuse, improves stability and longevity, broadens applicability, and reduces overall processing and chemical conversion costs. Three-dimensional printing offers extraordinary flexibility for creating high-resolution complex structures that enable completely new reactor designs with versatile sub-micron functional features in macroscale objects. Immobilizing enzymes on or in 3D printed structures makes it possible to precisely control their spatial location for the optimal catalytic reaction. Combining the rapid advances in these two technologies is leading to completely new levels of control and precision in fabricating immobilized enzyme catalysts. The goal of this review is to promote further research by providing a critical discussion of 3D printed enzyme immobilization methods encompassing both post-printing immobilization and immobilization by physical entrapment during 3D printing. Especially, 3D printed gel matrix techniques offer mild single-step entrapment mechanisms that produce ideal environments for enzymes with high retention of catalytic function and unparalleled fabrication control. Examples from the literature, comparisons of the benefits and challenges of different combinations of the two technologies, novel approaches employed to enhance printed hydrogel physical properties, and an outlook on future directions are included to provide inspiration and insights for pursuing work in this promising field.

In this work, loess-based materials were designed based on a multicomponent composite materials system for ecofriendly natural three-dimensional (3D) printing involving quick lime, gypsum, and water. The 3D printing process was monitored as a function of gypsum content; in terms of mechanical strength and electrical resistance, in the cube-shaped bulk form. After initial optimization, the 3D printing composition was refined to provide improved printability in a 3D printing system. The optimal 3D fabrication allowed for reproducible printing of rectangular columns and cubes. The development of 3D printing materials was scrutinized using a multitude of physicochemical probing tools, including X-ray diffraction for phase identification, impedance spectroscopy to monitor setting behaviors, and mercury intrusion porosimetry to extract the pore structure of loess-based composite materials. Additionally, the setting behavior in the loess-based composite materials was analyzed by investigating the formation of gypsum hydrates induced by chemical reaction between quick lime and water. This setting reaction provides reasonable mechanical strength that is sufficient to print loess-based pastes via 3D printing. Such mechanical strength allows utilization of robotic 3D printing applications that can be used to fabricate ecofriendly structures.

The application of three-dimensional (3D) printing in medicine has increased rapidly in the last few years. Various new commercial 3D printers and 3D bioprinters are introduced into the current market. 3D printing scientific community has witnessed a rapid growth in the application of 3D printing for various medical needs. There has been a research advancement in 4D printing with a widened scope of 3D bioprinting. The growing demand for 3D printing and its use for commercial and industrial purposes in medical technology have facilitated the need for introduction of new international standards and regulations. The need for organ replacement has generated curiosity and competition among researchers to race for organ 3D printing, which can be identified with increased publications and patents that are filed in recent years. Hence, there is a need to update the readers with the latest information. The second edition of this chapter updates the contents of first section to fourth section with current information and some modified pictorial representations. New section describes the relevance of the new chapters added to this edition and updates the readers with insights on advancement of 3D printing in the last decade. Briefly, this chapter introduces the reader with a brief history of 3D printing in medical technology, components of 3D printing, 3D bioprinting, organ 3D bioprinting, advantages of 3D printing with current challenges and commercially available 3D printers in the current market. New sections introduced in this edition detail about the ASTM and ISO standards that are used for 3D printing in medicine, the regulatory framework with current challenges, ethical and social concerns with the current 3D printing scientific community, and the importance of intellectual property in safeguarding the interests of the innovators.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a promising technology that can use a patient's image data to create complex and personalized constructs precisely. It has made great progress over the past few decades and has been widely used in medicine including medical modeling, surgical planning, medical education and training, prosthesis and implants. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting is a powerful tool that has the potential to fabricate bioengineered constructs of the desired shape layer-by-layer using computer-aided deposition of living cells and biomaterials. Advances in 3D printed implants and future tissue-engineered constructs will bring great progress to the field of otolaryngology. By integrating 3D printing into tissue engineering and materials, it may be possible for otolaryngologists to implant 3D printed functional grafts into patients for reconstruction of a variety of tissue defects in the foreseeable future. In this review, we will introduce the current state of 3D printing technology and highlight the applications of 3D printed prosthesis and implants, 3D printing technology combined with tissue engineering and future directions of bioprinting in the field of otolaryngology.

Textiles are an essential part of human lives and are associated with them from cradle to grave. There is a limitless choice of materials, processes, designs, and applications of fibers and textiles. However, conventional textile processing uses considerable resources and is not always environment friendly. Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers new avenues and provides a considerable value in addition to textile materials. From simple printing of designs or patterns, complex structures such as wearable electronics and space textiles are made using 3D technology. Similarly, the creation of nanostructures, self-colored clothing, and imparting functional finishes are also done through 3D printing. Innovative smart textiles that contain bioactive agents, carbon nanotubes, etc. which can provide high-performance properties, improve appearance or durability, which can be done using 3D printing. One such example is of temperature-regulated clothing developed using 3D printing. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the opportunities and the challenges of 3D printing in fashion and textiles. Examples include the application of 3D printing in medical textiles, industrial textiles, jewelry, and fashion. Most 3D-printing 190technologies are done using synthetic polymers such as nylon, polyester, poly(lactic acid), and thermoplastic polyurethane. Possibilities of developing 3D-printed objects using natural polymers or other additives have been discussed.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a transformative technology with significant implications for the future of medicine, enabling innovations in patient-specific treatments (i.e. anatomic models and patient education), surgical planning (i.e. preoperative visualization), and medical education (i.e. 3D anatomic structures). Despite its growing impact, 3D printing remains an underexplored topic in traditional medical education, leaving many medical students and physicians unfamiliar with its potential applications. The purpose of this 30-minute seminar was to introduce the fundamentals of 3D printing, emphasize its relevance to modern medicine and provide a foundation for understanding its diverse applications in clinical practice and research. By bridging this knowledge gap, the session aimed to inspire future healthcare professionals to integrate 3D printing into their practice. A 30-minute, virtual seminar was offered to medical students at the Sanford School of Medicine, Engineering students and Physicians. Participants were asked to view a You-Tube video prepared by the author and complete a pre- and post-session survey, consisting of six multiple-choice questions designed to assess knowledge of, and interest in 3D printing and its applications in medicine. Additional survey questions captured demographic information, including the participant's profession and prior experience with 3D printing. Pre- and post-survey responses were analyzed using paired Student's t-tests to evaluate the impact of the session on participants' understanding and interest. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant, indicating meaningful improvements in knowledge or interest after the session. 20 participants completed both the pre- and post-surveys. Participants included medical students, engineering students, and other (Physician, HR, undergraduate student, and business manager). Of these, only 30% had prior experience with 3D printing. Analysis of the survey responses demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in participants' knowledge and understanding of 3D printing applications in medicine, with average scores increasing in 5 out of 6 questions (p less than 0.05). Additionally, participants reported increased interest in integrating 3D printing into their clinical research or education. This 30-minute, virtual You-Tube educational seminar effectively introduced participants to the fundamentals of 3D printing and its applications in medicine, addressing a significant knowledge gap among medical students and physicians. The statistically significant improvement in survey scores demonstrates the session's success in enhancing understanding and generating interest in this transformative technology. By equipping future healthcare professionals with foundational knowledge of 3D printing, such sessions can foster innovation and integration of this technology into clinical practice and medical education.

Minor hepatectomy following liver partition between the right anterior and posterior sectors requires technical ingenuities. In such hepatectomy, we used three-dimensional (3D) print; therefore, our procedure was introduced. Digital segmentation of anatomical structures from multidetector-row computed tomography images utilized the original software 'PLUTO', which was developed by Graduate School of Information Science, Nagoya University. After changing the final segmentation data to the stereolithography files, 3D-printed liver at 70% scale was produced. The support material was washed and mould charge was removed from 3D-printed hepatic veins. The surface of 3D-printed model was abraded and coated with urethane resin paint. After natural drying, 3D-printed hepatic veins were coloured by injection of a dye. The 3D-printed portal veins were whitish because mould charge remained. All procedures after 3D printing were performed by hand work. A 3D-printed model of the right posterior sector and a 3D-printed model of other parenchyma were produced, respectively. Measuring the length between the main structures on the liver surface and the planned partition line on the 3D-printed model, land mark between the right anterior and posterior sectors on the real liver surface was produced with scale adjustment. Minor hepatectomy following liver partition between the right anterior and posterior sectors was performed referring to 3D-printed model. The planned liver partition and resection were successful. Application of 3D-printed liver to minor hepatectomy following liver partition between the right anterior and posterior sectors is easy and a suitable procedure.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an exciting form of manufacturing technology that has transformed the way we can treat various medical pathologies. Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing fuses materials together in a layer-by-layer fashion to construct a final 3D product. This technology allows flexibility in the design process and enables efficient production of both off-the-shelf and personalized medical products that accommodate patient needs better than traditional manufacturing processes. In the field of orthopaedic surgery, 3D printing implants and instrumentation can be used to address a variety of pathologies that would otherwise be challenging to manage with products made from traditional subtractive manufacturing. Furthermore, 3D bioprinting has significantly impacted bone and cartilage restoration procedures and has the potential to completely transform how we treat patients with debilitating musculoskeletal injuries. Although costs can be high, as technology advances, the economics of 3D printing will improve, especially as the benefits of this technology have clearly been demonstrated in both orthopaedic surgery and medicine as a whole. This review outlines the basics of 3D printing technology and its current applications in orthopaedic surgery and ends with a brief summary of 3D bioprinting and its potential future impact.

Objectives: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has gained significance for human health-care applications in recent years. Some of these applications include obtaining models which mimic anatomical parts. One other parallel development in the biological research area is the development of 3D cell cultures. Such cultures are now becoming the material of choice for in vitro experiments, fast replacing the traditional adherent/monolayer 2D culture approaches. We present here, a method to obtain 3D prints of 3D aggregates of three human cancer cell lines. Such 3D prints can be useful models to understand solid tumor morphologies and also as effective teaching models. Materials and Methods: Photomicrographs of the 3D aggregates of the human cancer cell lines SiHa, MCF-7, and A549 (human cervical cancer, breast cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, respectively) were obtained using inverted phase contrast microscopy. Conversion of normal jpeg images into 3D files was performed using the lithophane method and CAD files obtained. The CAD files thus generated were used to print the objects using the Stratasys Polyjet J750 3D Printer. Results: We could obtain 3D prints of SiHa, MCF-7, and A549 (human cervical cancer, breast cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, respectively) 3D aggregates/spheroids. Conclusion: It is hoped that this approach will be useful for studying solid tumor morphologies in finer details. Furthermore, other benefits of such 3D prints would be in them being excellent models for teaching purposes.