Novel Procedure for Designing and 3D Printing a Customized Surgical Template for Arthrodesis Surgery on the Sacrum

Abstract

Abstract:In this article, the authors propose a novel procedure for designing a customized 3D-printed surgical template to guide surgeons in inserting screws into the sacral zone during arthrodesis surgeries. The template is characterized by two cylindrical guides defined by means of trajectories identified, based on standard procedure, via an appropriate Computer-Aided-Design (CAD)-based procedure. The procedure is based on the definition of the insertion direction by means of anatomical landmarks that enable the screws to take advantage of the maximum available bone path. After 3D printing, the template adheres perfectly to the bone surface, showing univocal positioning by exploiting the foramina of the sacrum, great maneuverability due to the presence of an ergonomic handle, as well as a break system for the two independent guides. These features make the product innovative. Thanks to its small size and the easy anchoring, the surgeon can simply position the template on the insertion area and directly insert the screws, without alterations to standard surgical procedures. This has the effect of reducing the overall duration of the surgery and the patient's exposure to X-rays, and increasing both the safety of the intervention and the quality of the results.

Novel design for a customized, 3D‐printed surgical template for thoracic spinal arthrodesis

“…Popescu et al presented a computer‐aided procedure for generating the best trajectory for pedicle screw insertion (approximately equidistant from the center points of pre‐set coronal sections of the pedicle), with the screw size chosen to fit the smallest pedicle cross section. Recently, other researchers have focused on ways to determine a predefined optimal pedicle screw trajectory, diameter, and maximum length using a computer‐assisted algorithm.…”

“…The integration of advanced computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) engineering software systems and medicine is increasingly advanced, both in the field of tissue regrowth through scaffolds and in the design/production of surgical devices . This work relates to innovative surgical devices used in the stabilization of the vertebral column in spinal arthrodesis.…”

“…Recently, other researchers 4,5,29 have focused on ways to determine a predefined optimal pedicle screw trajectory, diameter, and maximum length using a computer-assisted algorithm.…”

Applying CAD/CAE/CAM Techniques for Optimizing the Design and Reducing the Cost of a Pediatric Stander

“…Within the reviewed literature, this tool is widely used to carry out a good production of the prototypes to be manufactured (Ali et al, 2020;N. Cobetto et al, 2016;Nikita Cobetto et al, 2017;Cristalli et al, 2020;Frizziero et al, 2021;Guy et al, 2021;Naddeo et al, 2018), managing to reduce any type of failure or miscalculation. Within this article, it will be used to simulate the creation of the pieces thanks to tools and machines within the computerized software, as well as to create the corresponding G Code to take it to the manufacturer in a CNC machine.…”

“…All this with the help of computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided engineering (CAE), and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs.(N. Cobetto et al, 2016;Nikita Cobetto et al, 2017;Frizziero et al, 2021;Guy et al, 2021;Heo et al, 2021;John Ignacio et al, 2019;Lopez et al, 2020;Matuda et al, 2021;Naddeo et al, 2018;Sosa-Méndez, 2016;Wang et al, 2016) The scientific articles reviewed on this methodology give us good information to be able to use it in the best way to satisfy the stated need.…”