Additive Manufacturing Techniques for the Reconstruction of 3D Fetal Faces

Abstract

This paper deals with additive manufacturing techniques for the creation of 3D fetal face models starting from routine 3D ultrasound data. In particular, two distinct themes are addressed. First, a method for processing and building 3D models based on the use of medical image processing techniques is proposed. Second, the preliminary results of a questionnaire distributed to future parents consider the use of these reconstructions both from an emotional and an affective point of view. In particular, the study focuses on the enhancement of the perception of maternity or paternity and the improvement in the relationship between parents and physicians in case of fetal malformations, in particular facial or cleft lip diseases.

3D printing in medicine: current applications and future directions

“…3D printing has shown increasing applications in the medical field over the last decades with reports covering different areas which range from its original applications in orthopedics to cardiovascular disease and tumor imaging (11)(12)(13)(14)(15). In 2016, the Special Interest Group (SIG) on 3D printing was established by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) to provide guidelines, recommendations and training sessions for the appropriate use of 3D printing in medical applications with the aim of providing better healthcare service to patients (16,17).…”

Digital Design of Medical Replicas via Desktop Systems: Shape Evaluation of Colon Parts

“…No reliable surgical cuts could be planned with inaccurate models. In [ 10 ], a workflow for digital models of fetal faces is proposed to help diagnosis of cleft lip disease and to investigate affective effects on parents.…”

Design of Additively Manufactured Lattice Structures for Biomedical Applications

“…e posttreatments can be complex, also involving thermal cycles which can modify the microcrystalline structure. Despite the fact that the literature contains a great number of articles which deal with problems related to the production of components and functional devices for biomedical applications [8][9][10], information on the microstructural features, deriving from the production process and posttreatments, is still lacking. Finally, the aim of the proposed SI was to invite contributions from researchers working in the field, providing a complete view of the current progresses.…”