Home Medical 3D printing with bone filament: realistic models for surgery

3D printing with bone filament: realistic models for surgery

The user “PectusSurgeon” on the Reddit platform reported on the use of a special 3D printing filament that mimics the properties of human bones. He used the “SimuBone Bone Modeling Filament” from 3DXTech to print a test model of a rib. The aim was to create a realistic basis for surgical training purposes. In addition, the user planned to use TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) for simulated cartilage to make the model even more detailed.

The filament was developed to mimic the mechanical properties of real bone. According to the user, the printed model feels similar to a real piece of bone in terms of stiffness and flexibility. An important aspect was whether the material could withstand the heat generated during processing with surgical tools. “At 75% filling density, it is quite stable, but still has a certain flexibility,” explained the user. The test showed that the material did not melt even during intensive use and is therefore suitable for surgical simulations.

The possibility of using such filaments in the medical field offers numerous advantages. Surgeons could use patient-specific models to plan complex operations in advance. By using imaging data, anatomically correct models can be printed, enabling more precise preparation. This could reduce the risk of complications, especially for rare or complicated procedures.

Despite the advantages, there are challenges, most notably the cost. A 750g roll of SimuBone filament costs around 98 US dollars. For more cost-effective models, the user suggested using wood PLA, which has similar properties but is significantly cheaper. For realistic surgical simulations, however, the more expensive material makes sense.

Turns out there is “bone-simulating” filament out there. Working towards a patient-specific model to plan surgeries on complex chest wall defects. Printed a test rib to see if it saws like the real thing.
byu/PectusSurgeon in3Dprinting


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