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Medical 3D Printing Dimensional Accuracy for Multi-pathological Anatomical Models 3D Printed Using Material Extrusion

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Abstract

Medical 3D printing of anatomical models is being increasingly applied in healthcare facilities. The accuracy of such 3D-printed anatomical models is an important aspect of their overall quality control. The purpose of this research was to test whether the accuracy of a variety of anatomical models 3D printed using Material Extrusion (MEX) lies within a reasonable tolerance level, defined as less than 1-mm dimensional error. Six medical models spanning across anatomical regions (musculoskeletal, neurological, abdominal, cardiovascular) and sizes (model volumes ranging from ~ 4 to 203 cc) were chosen for the primary study. Three measurement landing blocks were strategically designed within each of the six medical models to allow high-resolution caliper measurements. An 8-cc reference cube was printed as the 7th model in the primary study. In the secondary study, the effect of model rotation and scale was assessed using two of the models from the first study. All models were 3D printed using an Ultimaker 3 printer in triplicates. All absolute measurement errors were found to be less than 1 mm with a maximum error of 0.89 mm. The maximum relative error was 2.78%. The average absolute error was 0.26 mm, and the average relative error was 0.71% in the primary study, and the results were similar in the secondary study with an average absolute error of 0.30 mm and an average relative error of 0.60%. The relative errors demonstrated certain patterns in the data, which were explained based on the mechanics of MEX 3D printing. Results indicate that the MEX process, when carefully assessed on a case-by-case basis, could be suitable for the 3D printing of multi-pathological anatomical models for surgical planning if an accuracy level of 1 mm is deemed sufficient for the application.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 234 Goodman St, Cincinnati, OH, 45219, USA

    Prashanth Ravi & Frank J. Rybicki

  2. Department of Radiology, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Dr, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Leonid L. Chepelev

  3. 1819 Innovation Hub Makerspace, University of Cincinnati, 2900 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH, 45206, USA

    Gabrielle V. Stichweh & Benjamin S. Jones

Authors
  1. Prashanth Ravi
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  2. Leonid L. Chepelev
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  3. Gabrielle V. Stichweh
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  4. Benjamin S. Jones
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  5. Frank J. Rybicki
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Contributions

FJR and LC conceived the study. PR segmented the models, measured the accuracy, analyzed data, and drafted the paper. FJR and LC critically revised the paper. GVS and BSJ 3D printed the models and provided input regarding the 3D-printing process. All authors provided textual contributions to the manuscript draft. All others contributed to revising the manuscript and approved the final version.

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Correspondence to Prashanth Ravi.

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Ravi, P., Chepelev, L.L., Stichweh, G.V. et al. Medical 3D Printing Dimensional Accuracy for Multi-pathological Anatomical Models 3D Printed Using Material Extrusion. J Digit Imaging 35, 613–622 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-022-00614-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10278-022-00614-x

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