Learning objectives
Simply put,
3D Printing is a manufacturing process that creates a physical object from a digital design.
Technically nearly every manufacturing process in the the world utilizes this technology in some way or the other.
It is now becoming an important method for Radiologists to communicate pertinent findings to medical care teams especially in surgical branches.
We are presenting the concept,
process and applications of 3D printing in Medical Imaging.
Background
Charles "Chuck" Hull (Fig.1) created the first 3D printer capable of printing an actualmodel and called it Stereolithography.
3D printing in radiology is synonymous with additive manufacturing that uses a digital model to manufacture a 3D solid object.
The process,
also known as rapid prototyping,
expanded widely in the 1990s in architecture and manufacturing.
The terms additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping are,
for the purpose of this review,
synonymous with 3D printing.
Charles Hull’s first 3D printer proved successful on March 9 1983-over 30 yearsbefore...
Imaging findings OR Procedure details
DIFFERENT TYPES OF 3D MODELLING:
7 Main types-all use different technologies (Fig.4)1
Vat Photopolymerization
Material Extrusion (the type our printer does)
Material Jetting
Binder Jetting
Powder Bed Fusion
Direct Energy Deposition
Sheet Lamination
SOFTWARE:
3D printers do not accept DICOM images.
A standard file format to define3D modelsis Standard Tessellation Language (STL).
The STL format defines surfaces as a collection of triangles (called facets) that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.
A newer format called Additive Manufacturing File Format (AMF),
was approved by ASTM International...
Conclusion
3D printing is one of the emerging and most promising new paradigms in Medicine spearheaded by Medical Imaging.
Radiology needs to takecharge of 3D printing.
Integrate it with our 2D reports as a 3Dmodel to enhance the value of our "products".
Rapid expansion in the use and application of 3D models as described.
Endless applications and opportunities to collaborate.
Personal information
A.
Varma,
R.Olivotto,
A Hodgkinson
Mater Hospital,
South Brisbane,
QLD,
AU
A.
Varma is Consultant Radiologist with interest in Body,
Breast and Oncologic imaging.
Special interest in technological advances in radiology including 3D printing and Artificial Intellegence applications.
R.Olivotto is Consultant Radiologist and Director Mater Medical Imaging withFellowship training in Interventional Radiology.
A.
Hodgkinson is a CT Unit Manager.
Interests include dynamic andcardiac imaging as well as emerging technologies,
such as 3D Printing and Cinematic Rendering Processes.
References
Clinical Applications of 3D Printing: Primer for Radiologists ...https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1076633217303616by DH Ballard - 2017
Medical 3D Printing for the Radiologist | RadioGraphics - RSNA ...https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/full/10.1148/rg.2015140320