Rapid manufacturing and virtual prototyping of pre-surgery aids

Abstract

Progressive development of rapid manufacturing and virtual prototyping have a significant influence not only in the industry and transport, but also in the medicine. Presurgical support and preparation of a surgeon with use of these technologies, especially in complex cases, can help prepare more precise plan of surgery and perform a simulated operation. The aim of these studies was to develop a methodology and manufacture an anatomical model of a kidney with a tumour, using rapid manufacturing technologies and virtual prototyping techniques. The model was a part of a presurgical support, allowing a doctor to become acquainted with an organ and a tumour and was also used for a simulative operation of partial nephrectomy. Due to the fact that model has two functions (preoperative planning and simulative operation), an important part during the production process was to consult procedures like cutting or suturing. Combination between technology of 3D printing and vacuum casting and silicon usage allowed to create a model, which imitates living tissues, especially the renal cortex and tumour. Transparency, which is a property of both models—physical and virtual—also plays a relevant role. Transparency helps surgeons in precise planning before operation. Doctors can familiarize themselves with arrangement of internal structures and pathologically altered areas. The collected information and tests performed with a cooperating hospital helped evaluation of created models, their usefulness and future implementation possibilities.