Medical

IIn recent decades, advances in image and graphic processing have changed medical imaging into something far beyond traditional, two-dimensional visualization. Special software approved for medical applicationscan be used to turn a group of two-dimensional images into a virtual 3D model, and adapt the geometry in line with requirements. This results in specifically adapted 3D models that can be used as a blueprint for producing medical structures by means of additive manufacturing. Additive processes provide innovative solutions for your medical applications. The elimination of design restrictions makes it possible to produce geometrically complex parts for individual patients. Besides implants, increasing numbers of medical tools and demonstration models are also being made. These are suitable for preoperative planning and intraoperative visualization, while also simplifying communication with the patient. As a result, the operation can be planned in detail beforehand, significantly reducing the actual operating time. Tools made for individual patients by means of additive manufacturing allow surgeons to perform precise operative procedures such as bone transplants and reconstructive surgery. Patient-specific spare parts and implants made from a wide range of materials can be quickly produced thanks to additive manufacturing.

A two-dimensional image of the “area of interest” was previously regarded as sufficient for medical applications. However, adjoining structures can only be removed to a certain extent or sometimes not at all, restricting the field of vision. Even though there are already imaging techniques that produce a threedimensional image, these are generally based on two-dimensional pictures that are taken along the third dimension, thereby producing a three-dimensional visualization. For simple, physical visualization, however, it is possible to use additive manufacturing to develop a three-dimensional model based on the two-dimensional images. These physical models make it possible to provide a quick demonstration of the “area of interest.” This significantly simplifies communication
with the patient and intraoperative visualization of the area. Additive models are also used for preoperative planning and for simulating complex operations.

A paradigm shift is currently taking place in the field of medicine. There is a move away from mass production towards custom-made items; away from one-size-fits-all approaches towards personalized treatment plans. In this context, structures and customized implants produced by means of additive manufacturing have proven to be especially valuable in the area of oral and maxillofacial surgery, due to the large number of complex bone geometries in the skull. Furthermore, even slight dislocations in the facial area can have a profound impact on the patient’s physical function and aesthetic appearance. In such cases, it has been shown that patient-specific models produced by means of additive manufacturing improve patient care as well as communication between doctors and patients.