Authors:
Alexander Preis
;
Hannah Riedle
;
Elisabeth Benke
and
Jörg Franke
Affiliation:
Institute for Factory Automation and Production Systems, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstraße 7-9, Erlangen, Germany
Keyword(s):
Surgical Models, Anatomical Models, Surgical Training, Medical Education, Medical Device Evaluation, Biomechanics, Biomechanical Testing, Additive Manufacturing, 3D Printing, Material Jetting, Standardization.
Abstract:
Realistic, high-fidelity anatomical models with material properties corresponding to those of human tissue can be used for surgical planning and training, medical education and medical device testing and validation. Conventional manufacturing of anatomical models is a time consuming, and expensive process, which nevertheless is not able to fully mimic the complex nature of the human body regarding geometry and mechanical properties. To create models closer to reality in a fast and cost-effective way, additive manufacturing, especially the process of material jetting, can be a solution. Utilizing this process, it is possible to fabricate multi-color, multi-material objects with complex geometries, high resolution, and even gradients in material properties. To replicate the mechanical properties of biological tissues, they must be matched with the technical materials or material combinations available for the utilized manufacturing process. Therefore the authors propose to conduct meas
urements according to standardized testing procedures like ISO 37 for tensile and ISO 48-4 for indentation tests, which allows matching to the manufacturing materials and thus will result in the possibility to create more accurate replicas of the human body that provide realistic haptic feedback.
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