Orbital Volume Analysis of Midfacial Fractures Using Additive Manufacturing Technologies

Abstract

Midfacial fractures occur in a variety of patterns. For doctors to understand the severity of these fractures, it is important for them to identify the types of fracture and its clinical relevance. This complexity can be solved by having a three-dimensional physical model using Additive Manufacturing (AM) Technology. The aim of this paper is to do Orbital volume analysis of Midfacial fractures by 3D Printing medical models of the skull using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) process. The methodology involves collection of Pre-Operative and Post-Operative CT scan images of the patient in DICOM format and converting it to 3D CAD model using InVesalius medical imaging software. The generated 3D CAD model is saved in.STL format and is then transferred to Flashforge FDM machine for printing Pre-Operative and Post-Operative 3D medical models. Measurements are taken on both Pre-Operative and Post-Operative 3D printed medical models at fixed landmarks to calculate the Orbital volume. These values are compared with Unfractured orbit of skull to find out the percentage of restoration.