Steps for biomodel acquisition through addtive manufacturing for health

ABSTRACT The use of rapid prototyping in medical and dental fields consists of three-dimensional models using Computer Aided Design systems and Computer Aided Manufacturing systems. Such systems focus specifically on enhanced 3D visualization tools that provide a precise preoperative planning opportunity through three-dimensional printing, to the professional. The objective of this study was to describe the main steps in the biomodel manufacturing using an Objet 3D printer (CONNEX 350), whose raw material is a light-curing resin. The steps are adopted by researchers from three-dimensional technologies laboratory (LT3D), of the Center for Strategic Technologies in Health (NUTES), from the State University of Paraíba (UEPB), Brazil. It begins with the acquisition of tomographic images that are processed through specific software and exported to the digital Stereo lithography (STL) format. The additive manufacturing technique is Stereo lithography, which consists in the construction of biomodel by photopolymerization of a liquid epoxy resin using ultraviolet radiation. The biomodel that comes from this process was brought to a pressurizing machine to remove the resin support, washing it with water jets. After this step, this biomodel was sent to the health professional in charge. The use of biomodels constitutes a major breakthrough in the area of Dentistry, allowing more precise diagnosis by professionals, simulation and surgical planning, previous adaptation of biomaterials and orthoses, as well as interaction between the surgeon and the patient, thus obtaining more satisfactory aesthetic results and decreased surgical time.