Traveling cellsman: Partition-cluster co-parameterization for multi-robot cooperative 3D printing

PurposeSkin cancer is the most common tumor in the population. There are different therapeutic modalities. Brachytherapy is one of the techniques used, in which it is necessary to build customized moulds for some patients. Currently, these moulds are made by hand using rudimentary techniques. We present a new procedure based on 3D printing and the analysis of the clinical workflow.Material and methodsMoulds can be made either by hand or by automated 3D printing. For making moulds by hand, a patient’s alginate negative is created and, from that, the gypsum cast and customized moulds are made by hand from the patient’s negative template. The new process is based on 3D printing. The first step is to take a 3D scan of the surface of the patient and then, 3D modelling software is used to obtain an accurate anatomical reconstruction of the treatment area. We present the clinical workflow using 3D scanning and printing technology, comparing its costs with the usual custom handmade mould protocol.ResultsThe time spent for the new process is 6.25 hours, in contrast to the time spent for the conventional process, which is 9.5 hours. We found a 34% reduction in time required to create a mould for brachytherapy treatment. The labor cost of the conventional process is 211.5 vs. 152.5 hours, so the reduction is 59 hours. There is also a 49.5% reduction in the financial costs, mostly due to lack of need of a computed tomography (CT) scan of the gypsum and the mould. 3D scanning and printing offers financial benefits and reduces the clinical workload.ConclusionsAs the present project demonstrates, through the application of 3D printing technologies, the costs and time spent during the process in the clinical workload in brachytherapy treatment are reduced. Overall, 3D printing is a promising technique for brachytherapy that might be well received in the community.

3D Printing, sometimes referred to as additive manufacturing, has made the concept of personalized medicine a reality. The primary objective of 3D and 4D printing is to produce intricate, customized pharmaceuticals at a reasonable cost. With improvements in materials, resolution, and speed, 3D printing technology is quickly developing. It includes faster construction, cost efficiency through reduced waste, design flexibility for complex structures, and sustainability through optimized material usage. An extensive literature survey was done on 3D and 4D printing of pharmaceuticals using PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, and Springer. The results were then filtered based on the titles, abstracts, and accessibility of the complete texts. The search engine Google Scholar was accessed for literature data mining. From the data mining, it was found that from the year 2009 to 2024 the number of research publications surged more than 200 times on the current topic. Even though 3-D and 4-D printing technologies have advanced significantly in a short amount of time, the most often used ones are still stereolithography, nozzle-based deposition, inkjet, and selective laser sintering. Their use has been modified for the production of nanoparticles, polypills, tablets, and implants, etc. Pharma's aspirations for tailored medications are being revolutionized by 3D printing, but cost, flexibility, and bioequivalence still need to be investigated. The present review offers a thorough analysis of various 3D and 4D printing methods and emphasizes the major advantages and disadvantages and major key challenges of 3D and 4D printing related to pharmaceuticals. Compared to 3D Printing, 4D printing offers better quality, efficacy, and functionality.

4D printing: Pragmatic progression in biofabrication

Chapter 2 - 3D printing and nanotechnology

Additive manufacturing of cementitious composites: Materials, methods, potentials, and challenges

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

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

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.

The rapid advancement of 3D printing technology has extended its reach beyond traditional manufacturing and into the realm of gastronomy. This book chapter delves into the innovative world of 3D food printing and its transformative impact on the food industry. As a disruptive technology, 3D food printing holds the promise of revolutionizing how food is prepared, presented, and consumed. The chapter begins by providing an overview of 3D printing technology, outlining its principles and mechanisms that have been adapted to create intricate food structures. It discusses the various techniques and materials used in 3D food printing, including hydrocolloids, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, each with their unique culinary applications. Furthermore, the chapter explores the key benefits of integrating 3D food printing into the culinary landscape. These benefits include enhanced customization, precise portion control, and the potential for addressing dietary restrictions and nutritional requirements. This technology also opens avenues for artistic expression in culinary arts, allowing chefs to push the boundaries of food aesthetics and presentation. The challenges and considerations associated with 3D food printing are thoroughly examined, such as the need to balance technological feasibility with maintaining the sensory qualities and flavours of traditional cuisine. Food safety and regulatory concerns are also addressed, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that 3D printed food products meet stringent standards. Real-world applications of 3D food printing within the food industry range from personalized nutrition and meal replacement solutions to sustainable food production practices.

For years the way of producing a flow profile for Inspection Chambers and Manholes could be divided into 3 methods: Injection moulding, Roto moulding and Hand assembling. For the standard orientations, for example straight through and cross, the IM profile integrated with a base is by far the best option. But for nonstandard configurations; different orientations, inlet heights and inlet sizes, the only option is to hand weld them together from injection moulded parts, pipes and plates. This is a time- consuming way of producing with high production cost and often aesthetic-wise of a challenging level. This is not necessary anymore after the introduction of 3D printing as a new production method for flow profiles in chambers and manholes. 3D printing is in many industries an accepted production method which can produce parts of high quality and high accuracy. The printing systems have faced a huge development in the last 10 years and prints are often close to perfection. The only disadvantage of these printing systems is the maximum size of the print. But since the introduction of 3D robot printing, products with a diameter of 1 meter can be printed without any problem. 3D robot printers were up to recently, used for prototypes, one- off products and art objects. Now a production area is created on which multiple products can be produced in a row without human interference. The most common materials used for 3D printing are ABS and PLA. These materials have good adhesion, almost no shrinkage and a good appearance. Unfortunately, these materials are not common in our industry. We need PP, PE or PVC. While our manholes and inspection chambers are from PP, we also need PP flow profiles. The advantage of using a 3D robot printer is that it uses granulates instead of filaments or special powder. This makes the material cost part almost equal to injection moulding. Another advantage is also that recycled material can be used. Own scrap can be used but also waste from other markets. The main reason that flows profiles are ideal for 3D printing is that nonstandard flow profiles are very labour-intensive. So, 3D printing really helps out here. Besides that, there is a lot of freedom in design. This helps to design in such a way, that the final profile is hydraulically optimal. This prevents the overflowing of manholes during heavy rain showers. Of course, these products should fulfil all requirements of the EN13598-2. Even though major development steps have been made in 3D printing during the last 5 years, 3D robot printing is still in the exploring phase and we find many hurdles on our way. This paper will show how our industry can use 3D printing and what are the pros and cons.

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.

Correlating 3D printing performance with sol-gel transition based on thermo-responsive k-carrageenan affected by fructose

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.

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.

The most active research area is nanotechnology in cementitious composites, which has a wide range of applications and has achieved popularity over the last three decades. Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as possible materials to be used in the field of civil engineering. Previous research has concentrated on evaluating the effect of different NPs in cementitious materials to alter material characteristics. In order to provide a broad understanding of how nanomaterials (NMs) can be used, this paper critically evaluates previous research on the influence of rheology, mechanical properties, durability, 3D printing, and microstructural performance on cementitious materials. The flow properties of fresh cementitious composites can be measured using rheology and slump. Mechanical properties such as compressive, flexural, and split tensile strength reveal hardened properties. The necessary tests for determining a NM’s durability in concrete are shrinkage, pore structure and porosity, and permeability. The advent of modern 3D printing technologies is suitable for structural printing, such as contour crafting and binder jetting. Three-dimensional (3D) printing has opened up new avenues for the building and construction industry to become more digital. Regardless of the material science, a range of problems must be tackled, including developing smart cementitious composites suitable for 3D structural printing. According to the scanning electron microscopy results, the addition of NMs to cementitious materials results in a denser and improved microstructure with more hydration products. This paper provides valuable information and details about the rheology, mechanical properties, durability, 3D printing, and microstructural performance of cementitious materials with NMs and encourages further research.