Three-dimensional printing for preoperative rehearsal and intraoperative navigation during laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery with left colic artery preservation

BACKGROUND Prior studies have shown that preserving the left colic artery(LCA)during laparo-scopic radical resection for rectal cancer(RC)can reduce the occurrence of anasto-motic leakage(AL),without compromising oncological outcomes.However,anatomical variations in the branches of the inferior mesenteric artery(IMA)and LCA present significant surgical challenges.In this study,we present our novel three dimensional(3D)printed IMA model designed to facilitate preoperative rehearsal and intraoperative navigation to analyze its impact on surgical safety.AIM To investigate the effect of 3D IMA models on preserving the LCA during RC surgery.METHODS We retrospectively collected clinical dates from patients with RC who underwent laparoscopic radical resection from January 2022 to May 2024 at Fuyang People’s Hospital.Patients were divided into the 3D printing and control groups for sta-tistical analysis of perioperative characteristics.RESULTS The 3D printing observation group comprised of 72 patients,while the control group comprised 68 patients.The operation time(174.5±38.2 minutes vs 198.5±49.6 minutes,P=0.002),intraoperative blood loss(43.9±31.3 mL vs 58.2±30.8 mL,P=0.005),duration of hospitalization(13.1±3.1 days vs 15.9±5.6 days,P<0.001),postoperative recovery time(8.6±2.6 days vs 10.5±4.9 days,P=0.007),and the postoperative complication rate(P<0.05)were all significantly lower in the observation group.CONCLUSION Utilization of a 3D-printed IMA model in laparoscopic radical resection of RC can assist surgeons in understanding the LCA anatomy preoperatively,thereby reducing intraoperative bleeding and shortening operating time,demonstrating better clinical application potential.

Preparation of Dashanzha Wan by three-dimensional printing

Objective:To use three-dimensional(3D)printing technology to prepare Dashanzha Wan.Methods:The standard formula proportion of Dashanzha Wan was used to prepare printable materials(normally called the ink)for 3D printing,and different doses and shapes of Dashanzha Wan were prepared.Then,the rheological properties,texture characteristics,scanning electron microscopy,and content of ursolic acid were evaluated.Results:Dashanzha Wan ink showed good shear thinning properties,which is very suitable for 3D printing.The printed sample had a beautiful and regular shape with high resolution.Meanwhile,ursolic acid content in 3D-printed Dashanzha Wan aligned with the ursolic acid content shown in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China 2020.Conclusion:The 3D-printed Dashanzha Wan has a better texture,and can be shaped into various shapes according to individual needs,which would increase patients’interest when taking medicine.Moreover,3D printing of Dashanzha Wan could be easily integrated into the digital life system,enabling online customization or use at home.This study reveals that 3D printing technology is a promising method for the production of traditional Chinese medicine with personalized appearance,dosage,and texture,which is suitable for a broader population.

Three-dimensional printing for heart diseases: clinical application review

Heart diseases remain the top threat to human health,and the treatment of heart diseases changes with each passing day.Convincing evidence shows that three-dimensional(3D)printing allows for a more precise understanding of the complex anatomy associated with various heart diseases.In addition,3D-printed models of cardiac diseases may serve as effective educational tools and for hands-on simulation of surgical interventions.We introduce examples of the clinical applications of different types of 3D printing based on specific cases and clinical application scenarios of 3D printing in treating heart diseases.We also discuss the limitations and clinically unmet needs of 3D printing in this context.

Use of three-dimensional printing in preoperative planning in orthopaedic trauma surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND With the increasing complexity of surgical interventions performed in orthopaedic trauma surgery and the improving technologies used in threedimensional(3D)printing,there has been an increased interest in the concept.It has been shown that 3D models allow surgeons to better visualise anatomy,aid in planning and performing complex surgery.It is however not clear how best to utilise the technique and whether this results in better outcomes.AIM To evaluate the effect of 3D printing used in pre-operative planning in orthopaedic trauma surgery on clinical outcomes.METHODS We performed a comprehensive systematic review of the literature and a metaanalysis.Medline,Ovid and Embase were searched from inception to February 8,2018.Randomised controlled trials,case-control studies,cohort studies and case series of five patients or more were included across any area of orthopaedic trauma.The primary outcomes were operation time,intra-operative blood loss and fluoroscopy used.RESULTS Seventeen studies(922 patients)met our inclusion criteria and were reviewed.The use of 3D printing across all specialties in orthopaedic trauma surgery demonstrated an overall reduction in operation time of 19.85%[95%confidence intervals(CI):(-22.99,-16.71)],intra-operative blood loss of 25.73%[95%CI:(-31.07,-20.40)],and number of times fluoroscopy was used by 23.80%[95%CI:(-38.49,-9.10)].CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the use of 3D printing in pre-operative planning in orthopaedic trauma reduces operative time,intraoperative blood loss and the number of times fluoroscopy is used.

Role of three-dimensional printing and artificial intelligence in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma:Challenges and opportunities

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)constitutes the fifth most frequent malignancy worldwide and the third most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths.Currently,treatment selection is based on the stage of the disease.Emerging fields such as three-dimensional(3D)printing,3D bioprinting,artificial intelligence(AI),and machine learning(ML)could lead to evidence-based,individualized management of HCC.In this review,we comprehensively report the current applications of 3D printing,3D bioprinting,and AI/ML-based models in HCC management;we outline the significant challenges to the broad use of these novel technologies in the clinical setting with the goal of identifying means to overcome them,and finally,we discuss the opportunities that arise from these applications.Notably,regarding 3D printing and bioprinting-related challenges,we elaborate on cost and cost-effectiveness,cell sourcing,cell viability,safety,accessibility,regulation,and legal and ethical concerns.Similarly,regarding AI/ML-related challenges,we elaborate on intellectual property,liability,intrinsic biases,data protection,cybersecurity,ethical challenges,and transparency.Our findings show that AI and 3D printing applications in HCC management and healthcare,in general,are steadily expanding;thus,these technologies will be integrated into the clinical setting sooner or later.Therefore,we believe that physicians need to become familiar with these technologies and prepare to engage with them constructively.

Magnetic resonance imaging-three-dimensional printing technology fabricates customized scaffolds for brain tissue engineering

Conventional fabrication methods lack the ability to control both macro- and micro-structures of generated scaffolds. Three-dimensional printing is a solid free-form fabrication method that provides novel ways to create customized scaffolds with high precision and accuracy. In this study, an electrically controlled cortical impactor was used to induce randomized brain tissue defects. The overall shape of scaffolds was designed using rat-specific anatomical data obtained from magnetic resonance imaging, and the internal structure was created by computer- aided design. As the result of limitations arising from insufficient resolution of the manufacturing process, we magnified the size of the cavity model prototype five-fold to successfully fabricate customized collagen-chitosan scaffolds using three-dimensional printing. Results demonstrated that scaffolds have three-dimensional porous structures, high porosity, highly specific surface areas, pore connectivity and good internal characteristics. Neural stem cells co-cultured with scaffolds showed good viability, indicating good biocompatibility and biodegradability. This technique may be a promising new strategy for regenerating complex damaged brain tissues, and helps pave the way toward personalized medicine.

Design and Fabrication of Drug Delivery Devices with Complex Architectures Based on Three-dimensional Printing Technique

A new type of implantable drug delivery devices （ DDD ） with complicated architectures were fubricated by three-dimensional printing technique, employing levofloxacin （LVFX） as a model drug. Processing parameters were optimized in riew of the layer thickness, spucing between printed lines, flow rate of liquid binder and the fast axis speed. The prepared DDD prototype consists of a double-layer structure, of which the upper region is a reservoir system and the lower region is a matrix one. The in vitro release test revealed that LVFX was released in a dual-puse pattern. This DDD may present a new strategy for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases such as bone infection in the near future.

Prenatal diagnosis of isolated lateral facial cleft by ultrasonography and three-dimensional printing:A case report

BACKGROUND Lateral facial clefts are atypical with a low incidence in the facial cleft spectrum.With the development of ultrasonography(US)prenatal screening,such facial malformations can be detected and diagnosed prenatally rather than at birth.Although three-dimensional US(3DUS)can render the fetus'face via 3D reconstruction,the 3D images are displayed on two-dimensional screens without field depth,which impedes the understanding of untrained individuals.In contrast,a 3D-printed model of the fetus'face helps both parents and doctors develop a more comprehensive understanding of the facial malformation by creating more interactive aspects.Herein,we present an isolated lateral facial cleft case that was diagnosed via US combined with a 3D-printed model.CASE SUMMARY A 31-year-old G2P1 patient presented for routine prenatal screening at the 22nd wk of gestation.The coronal nostril-lip section of two-dimensional US(2DUS)demonstrated that the fetus'bilateral oral commissures were asymmetrical,and left oral commissure was abnormally wide.The left oblique-coronal section showed a cleft at the left oral commissure which extended to the left cheek.The results of 3DUS confirmed the cleft.Furthermore,we created a model of the fetal face using 3D printing technology,which clearly presented facial malformations.The fetus was diagnosed with a left lateral facial cleft,which was categorized as a No.7 facial cleft according to the Tessier facial cleft classification.The parents terminated the pregnancy at the 24th wk of gestation after parental counseling.CONCLUSION In the diagnostic course of the current case,in addition to the traditional application of 2D and 3DUS,we created a 3D-printed model of the fetus,which enhanced diagnostic evidence,benefited the education of junior doctors,improved parental counseling,and had the potential to guide surgical planning.

Three-dimensional printing technology for patient-matched instrument in treatment of cubitus varus deformity:A case report

BACKGROUND Recently,medical three-dimensional printing technology(3DPT)has demonstrated potential benefits for the treatment of cubitus varus deformity(CVD)by improving accuracy of the osteotomy through the use of an osteotomy guide,with or without a patient-mated plate.Here,we present an interesting CVD case,involving a patient who was treated with corrective biplanar chevron osteotomy using an innovative customized osteotomy guide and a newly designed patient-matched monoblock crosslink plate created with 3DPT.CASE SUMMARY A 32-year-old female presented with a significant CVD from childhood injury.A computer simulation was processed using images from computerized tomography scans of both upper extremities.The biplanar chevron osteotomy was designed to create identical anatomy between the mirror image of the contralateral distal humerus and the osteotomized distal humerus.Next,the customized osteotomy guide and patient-matched monoblock crosslink plate were designed and printed.A simulation osteotomy was created for the real-sized bone model,and the operation was performed using the posterior paratricipital approach with k-wire positioning from the customized osteotomy guide as a predrilled hole for screw fixation to achieve immediate control of the reduction after osteotomy.Our method allowed for successful treatment of the CVD case,significantly improving the patient’s radiographic and clinical outcomes,with satisfactory result.CONCLUSION 3DPT-created patient-matched osteotomy guide and instrumentation provides accurate control during CVD correction.

Three-dimensional printing in paediatric orthopaedic surgery

Three-dimensional(3D)printing is a rapidly evolving and promising field to improve outcomes of orthopaedic surgery.The use of patient-specific 3D-printed models is specifically interesting in paediatric orthopaedic surgery,as limb deformity corrections often require an individual 3D treatment.In this editorial,various operative applications of 3D printing in paediatric orthopaedic surgery are discussed.The technical aspects and the imaging acquisition with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are outlined.Next,there is a focus on the intraoperative applications of 3D printing during paediatric orthopaedic surgical procedures.An overview of various upper and lower limb deformities in paediatrics is given,in which 3D printing is already implemented,including posttraumatic forearm corrections and proximal femoral osteotomies.The use of patient-specific instrumentation(PSI)or guiding templates during the surgical procedure shows to be promising in reducing operation time,intraoperative haemorrhage and radiation exposure.Moreover,3D-printed models for the use of PSI or patient-specific navigation templates are promising in improving the accuracy of complex limb deformity surgery in children.Lastly,the future of 3D printing in paediatric orthopaedics extends beyond the intraoperative applications;various other medical applications include 3D casting and prosthetic limb replacement.In conclusion,3D printing opportunities are numerous,and the fast developments are exciting,but more evidence is required to prove its superiority over conventional paediatric orthopaedic surgery.

Application of the Guiding Template Designed by Three-dimensional Printing Data for the Insertion of Sacroiliac Screws:a New Clinical Technique

This study is aimed to explore the clinical application of the guiding template designed by three-dimensional printing data for the insertion of sacroiliac screws.A retrospective study of 7 cases (from July 2016 to December 2016),in which the guiding template printed by the three-dimensional printing technique was used for the insertion of sacroiliac screws of patients with posterior ring injuries of pelvis,was performed.Totally,4 males and 3 females were included in template group,aged from 38to 65years old (mean 50.86±8.90).Of them,5 had sacral fractures (3 with Denis type Ⅰ and 2 with type Ⅱ)and 2 the separation of sacroiliac joint.Guiding templates were firstly made by the three-dimensional printing technique based on the pre-operative CT data. Surgical operations for the stabilization of pelvic ring by applying the guiding templates were carried out.A group of 8 patients with sacroiliac injuries treated by percutaneous sacroiliac screws were analyzed as a control group retrospectively.The time of each screw insertion,volume of intra-operative blood loss,and the exposure to X ray were analyzed and the Matta's radiological criteria were used to evaluate the reduction quality.The Majeed score was used to evaluate postoperative living quality.The visual analogue scale (VAS)was applied at different time points to judge pain relief of coccydynia.All the 7 patients in the template group were closely followed up radiographically and clinically for 14 to 20 months,mean (16.57±2.44)months.Totally 9 sacroiliac screws for the S 1 and S2 vertebra were inserted in the 7 patients.The time length for each screw insertion ranged from 450 to 870 s,mean (690.56±135.68)s,and the number of times of exposure to X ray were 4 to 8,mean (5.78±1.20).The intra-operative blood loss ranged from 45to 120 mL,mean (75±23.32)mL.According to Matta's radiology criteria,the fracture and dislocation reduction were excellent in 6cases and good in 1.The pre-operative VAS score ranged from 5.2 to 8.1,mean (7.13±1.00).The average one-week/six-month post-operative VAS was (5.33±0.78)and (1.33±0.66),respectively (P<0.05 when compared with pre-operative VAS).The 12-month post-operative Majeed score ranged from 86 to 92,mean (90.29±2.21).The three-dimensional printed guiding template for sacroiliac screw insertion,which could significantly shorten the operation time,provide a satisfied outcome of the stabilization of the pelvic ring,and protect doctors and patients from X-ray exposure,might be a practical and valuable new clinical technique.

A combination of digital design and three-dimensional printing to assist treatment of thoracolumbar compression fractures using percutaneous kyphoplasty

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the preoperative digita1 design combined with three dimensional(3D)printing models to assist percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP)treatment for thoracolumbar compression frac tures.Methods:From January 2018 to August 2020,we obtained data of 99 patients diagnosed thoracolumbar compression fractures.These patients were divided into control group(n=50)underwent traditional PKP surgery,and observation group(n=49)underwent preoperative digital design combined with 3D printing model assisted PKP treatment.The clinical efficacy was evaluated with five parameters,including operation time,number of intraoperative radiographs,visual analogue scale(VAS)score,Cobb Angle change,and high compression rate of injured vertebrae.Results:There were statistically significant differences of operation time and number of intraoperative radio graphs between the two groups(P<0.05).For VAS score,Cobb Angle change and vertebral height compression rate,all of these three parameters were significantly improved when the patients accepted surgery teatment in two groups(P<0.05).However,there were no significant differences between control group and observation group for these three parameters either before or after surgery(P>0.05).Conclusions:Through the design of preoperative surgical guide plate and the application of 3D printing model to guide the operation,the precise design of preoperative surgical puncture site and puncture Angle of the injured vertebra was realized,the number of intraoperative radiographs was reduced,the operation time was shortened and the operation efficiency was improved.

Three-dimensional printing for the accurate orthopedics:clinical cases analysis

As an emerging technology to promote the combination of medicine and industry,the three-dimensional(3D)printing has developed rapidly in the fields of orthopedics,while its unique advantages in improving precise treatment still need to be further popularized.In this report,our team have exhibited several classic cases of integrating 3D printing into orthopedic clinical application,thereby further elaborating thoughts and opinions on the significance of 3D printing in the orthopedic clinical application,technical advantages,existing main problems and coping strategies.

An erratum on “Application of three-dimensional printing in interventional medicine” [J Interv Med(February 2020) 1–16]

After the publication of this work,1 the authors noticed and confirmed that the Funding Information was mistakenly omitted from the article.The statement“This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China,grant no.81370041,81471760,81671655,the Outstanding Clinical Discipline Project of Shanghai Pudong,grant no.PWYgy2018-04.The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.”should be included in the Funding information section of the paper which is missing.We apologize for the error.

Three-dimensional printing: review of application in medicine and hepatic surgery

Three-dimensional(3D) printing(3DP) is a rapid prototyping technology that has gained increasing recognition in many different fields. Inherent accuracy and low-cost property enable applicability of 3DP in many areas, such as manufacturing, aerospace,medical, and industrial design. Recently, 3DP has gained considerable attention in the medical field. The image data can be quickly turned into physical objects by using 3DP technology. These objects are being used across a variety of surgical specialties. The shortage of cadaver specimens is a major problem in medical education. However, this concern has been solved with the emergence of 3DP model. Custom-made items can be produced by using 3DP technology. This innovation allows 3DP use in preoperative planning and surgical training. Learning is difficult among medical students because of the complex anatomical structures of the liver. Thus, 3D visualization is a useful tool in anatomy teaching and hepatic surgical training. However,conventional models do not capture haptic qualities. 3DP can produce highly accurate and complex physical models. Many types of human or animal differentiated cells can be printed successfully with the development of 3D bio-printing technology. This progress represents a valuable breakthrough that exhibits many potential uses, such as research on drug metabolism or liver disease mechanism. This technology can also be used to solve shortage of organs for transplant in the future.

Application of three-dimensional printing in interventional medicine

Introduction In recent years,three-dimensional printing(3DP),an additive manufacturing process,has gained widespread clinical application,and 3DP has been considered as the third industrial revolution.1 In its early introduction in the 1980s,3DP served as a software-controlled technology that converted computer-aided-design(CAD)data into a physical object via a single process.By depositing multiple two-dimensional cross-sections one above the other,3DP can now be used to build arbitrarily complex geometries and patient-specific constructs using the patient’s imaging data.Till date,computed tomography has been the main imaging data source for 3DP owing to its excellent spatial resolution.Furthermore,current 3D printers have enabled bedside on-demand fabrication of medical products in hospitals.New materials including polymers,ceramics,biomaterials,and metals have been developed for such applications over the last few decades.Medical fields that employ 3DP technologies have also expanded,such as tissue engineering,regenerative medicine,pharmaceutics,and medical models and devices.2 The market for additive manufacturing is expected to surpass$20 billion in the global industry by the end of the 2020.3 Although the use of 3DP technology in interventional medicine is still relatively new,advancements are occurring within this discipline at a rapid rate.Different 3DP technologies,materials,and clinical applications relevant to the interventional field are discussed in this article.

Three-dimensional printing technique assisted cognitive fusion in targeted prostate biopsy

Objective:To explore the effect of 3-dimensional(3D)printing-assisted cognitive fusion on improvement of the positive rate in prostate biopsy.Methods:From August to December 2014,16 patients with suspected prostatic lesions detected by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)were included.Targeted prostate biopsy was performed with the use of prostate 3D reconstruction modeling,computersimulated biopsy,3D printing,and cognitive fusion biopsy.All patients had received 3.0 T multiparametric MRI before biopsy.The DICOM MRI files were imported to medical imaging processing software for 3D reconstruction modeling to generate a printable.stl file for 3D printing with use of transparent resin as raw material.We further performed a targeted 2-to 3-core biopsy at suspected lesions spotted on MRI.Results:For the 16 patients in the present study,3D modeling with cognitive fusion-based targeted biopsy was successfully performed.For a single patient,1e2 lesions(average:1.1 lesions)were discovered,followed by 2-6 cores(average:2.4 cores)added as targeted biopsy.Systematic biopsies accounted for 192 cores in total,with a positive rate of 22.4%;targeted biopsies accounted for 39 cores in total,with a positive rate of 46.2%.Among these cases,10 patients(62.5%)were diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma,in which seven were discovered by both systematic and targeted biopsy,one was diagnosed by systematic biopsy only,and two were diagnosed by targeted biopsy only.For systematic biopsy,Gleason score ranged from 6 to 8(average:7),while that for targeted biopsy ranged from 6 to 9(average:7.67).Among the seven patients that were diagnosed by both systematic and targeted biopsy,three(42.8%)were reported with a higher Gleason score in targeted therapy than in systematic biopsy.Conclusion:3D printing-assisted cognitive fusion technique markedly promoted positive rate in prostate biopsy,and reduced missed detection in high-risk prostate cancer.

Dye-sensitized solar cell module realized photovoltaic and photothermal highly efficient conversion via three-dimensional printing technology

Three-dimensional （3D） printing technology is employed to improve the photovoltaic and photothermal conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell （DSC） module. The 3D-printed concentrator is optically designed and improves the photovoltaic efficiency of the DSC module from 5.48% to 7.03%. Additionally, with the 3D-printed microfluidic device serving as water cooling, the temperature of the DSC can be effectively controlled, which is beneficial for keeping a high photovoltaic conversion efficiency for DSC module. Moreover, the 3D-printed microfluidic device can realize photothermal conversion with an instantaneous photothermal efficiency of 42.1%. The integrated device realizes a total photovoltaic and photothermal conversion efficiency of 49% at the optimal working condition.

Application Status and Prospect of Three-Dimensional Printing Technology in the Field of Medical Devices

Three-dimensional(3D)printing technology belongs to a new manufacturing science and has been widely used in various fields of industry.This article will apply 3D printing technology as its main research topic,with emphasis on its application in the field of medical devices and prospects for contribution.

Three-dimensional printing of β-tricalcium phosphate/calcium silicate composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Bioactive scaffolds with interconnected porous structures are essential for guiding cell growth and new bone formation. In this work, we successfully fabricated three-dimensional （3D） porous β-tricalcium phosphate （β-TCP）/calcium silicate （CS） composite scaffolds with different ratios by 3D printing technique and further investigated the physiochemical properties, in vitro apatite mineralization properties and degradability of porous β-TCP/CS scaffolds. Moreover, a series of in vitro cell experiments including the attachment, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow stromal cells were conducted to testify their biological performances. The results showed that 3D printed β-TCP/CS scaffolds possessed of controllable internal porous structures and external shape. Furthermore, the introduction of CS decreased the shrinkage of scaffolds and improved the in vitro apatite formation activity and degradation rate. Meanwhile, compared with pure β- TCP scaffold, the β-TCP/CS composite scaffolds were more conducive to promote cell adhesion, spread and osteogenesis differentiation. However, when the content of CS was increased to 45%, the ions dissolution rate of the composite scaffolds was so high that leaded to the increase in pH value, which inhibited the proliferation of cells. Our results suggested that the introduction of appropriate CS into β-TCP bioceramic is an effective strategy to prepare bioactive 3D printed bioceramic scaffolds for hard tissue regeneration.