Delivered by: The National Centre For Product Design + Development Research (PDR).
Contact: Sean Peel. speel-pdr@cardiffmet.ac.uk 02920 416 723
- Reduce model costs.
- Save clinicians / technicians time.
- Improve accuracy.
- Improve patient outcomes.
- Reduce likelihood of repeat surgeries.
Digital reconstruction is undertaken on a case-by-case basis and is tailored exactly to your specific unique requirements. Requests for digital reconstruction should be made at the initial enquiry stage when requesting a medical model [LINK]. Completed reconstructions must be signed-off by you (the ordering clinician) prior to delivery. Finished reconstructions can be delivered physically (as modified medical models [LINK]) or digitally (as comparison images overlaid on the CT data of the original unmodified anatomy).
We aim to deliver on any specific, unique request; though common applications and best examples are described below.
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
1. Defect-Filled Cranioplasty Jig
The craniotomy defect is filled in CAD software. The patch is blended into the contours of the surrounding area. Contours of the contralateral side are matched visually as appropriate. Accuracy is ensured by precise digital measurement comparisons between common anatomical landmarks. A minimally sized model is provided (defect area + 20mm margin) to reduce costs. Time is saved by removing the laborious task of ‘waxing-up’ or hand-carving the defect-fill in clay. From this stage, the traditional laboratory fabrication process continues as usual with flasking and pressing.
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
2. Orbital Floor / Medial Wall Reconstruction
Contralateral healthy anatomy is enhanced and mirrored. The mirrored piece is positioned visually and blended into the surrounding area to achieve a smooth boundary. Appropriate symmetry is checked using precise measurements against anatomical landmarks. Model extents are entirely at your discretion, however a model of the single orbit (original anatomy) with an onlay reconstruction ‘jigsaw piece’ is the most cost effective route. Time is saved by removing the laborious task of ‘waxing-up’ or hand-carving the defect in clay. From this stage, the traditional laboratory fabrication process continues as usual with flasking and pressing.
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
3. Tumour Removal & Healthy Anatomy Mirroring
Care is taken to remove the tumour from the CT data slice-by-slice. Contralateral healthy anatomy is enhanced and mirrored. The mirrored piece is positioned visually and blended into the surrounding area to achieve a smooth boundary. Appropriate symmetry is checked using precise measurements against anatomical landmarks. Time is saved by removing the laborious task of ‘waxing-up’ or hand-carving the defect in clay. Downstream activities include uses as surgical references, planning aids and jigs for pre-bending plates.
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
4. Extensive Midface Reconstruction (As Jigsaw Piece)
Contralateral healthy anatomy is enhanced and mirrored. The mirrored piece is positioned visually and blended into the surrounding area to achieve a smooth boundary. Appropriate symmetry is checked using precise measurements against anatomical landmarks. The modified area is then isolated and undercuts removed to facilitate easy ‘assembly’. Downstream activities include uses as surgical references, planning aids and jigs for pre-bending plates.
