• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.147-153
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• 2020

This study was to evaluate the usability of self-developed phantom for evaluating automatic exposure control (AEC) using three-dimensions (3D) printer. 3D printer of fused deposition modeling (FDM) type was utilized to make the self-developed AEC phantom and image acquisitions were conducted by two different type of scanners. The self-developed AEC phantom consisted of four different size of portions. As a result, two types of phantom (pyramid and pentagon shape) were created according to the combination of the layers. For evaluating the radiation dose with the two types of phantom, the values of tube current, computed tomography dose index volume (CTDIvol), and dose length product (DLP) were compared. As a result, it was confirmed that the values of tube current were properly reflected according to the thickness, and the CTDIvol and DLP were not significantly changed regardless of AEC functions of different scanners. In conclusion, the self-developed phantom by using 3D printer could assess whether the AEC function works well. So, we confirmed the possibility that a self-made phantom could replace the commercially expensive AEC performance evaluation phantom.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.42
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• pp.24.1-24.7
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• 2020

Background: In daily practice, three-dimensional patient-specific jawbone models (3D models) are a useful tool in surgical planning and simulation, resident training, patient education, and communication between the physicians in charge. The progressive improvements of the hardware and software have made it easy to obtain 3D models. Recently, in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery, there are many reports on the benefits of 3D models. We introduced a desktop 3D printer in our department, and after a prolonged struggle, we successfully constructed an environment for the "in-house" fabrication of the previously outsourced 3D models that were initially outsourced. Through various efforts, it is now possible to supply inexpensive 3D models stably, and thus ensure safety and precision in surgeries. We report the cases in which inexpensive 3D models were used for orthodontic surgical simulation and discuss the surgical outcomes. Review: We explained the specific CT scanning considerations for 3D printing, 3D printing failures, and how to deal with them. We also used 3D models fabricated in our system to determine the contribution to the surgery. Based on the surgical outcomes of the two operators, we compared the operating time and the amount of bleeding for 25 patients who underwent surgery using a 3D model in preoperative simulations and 20 patients without using a 3D model. There was a statistically significant difference in the operating time between the two groups. Conclusions: In this article, we present, with surgical examples, our in-house practice of 3D simulation at low costs, the reality of 3D model fabrication, problems to be resolved, and some future prospects.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.32
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• pp.41-52
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• 2020

Purpose: To find out the dosimetric usefulness, setup reproducibility and efficiency of applying 3D Bolus by comparing two treatment plans in which Commercial Bolus and 3D Bolus produced by 3D Printing Technology were applied to the neck during VMAT treatment of Hypopahrynx Cancer to evaluate the clinical applicability. Materials and Methods: Based on the CT image of the RANDO phantom to which CB was applied, 3D Bolus were fabricated in the same form. 3D Bolus was printed with a polyurethane acrylate resin with a density of 1.2g/㎤ through the SLA technique using OMG SLA 660 Printer and MaterializeMagics software. Based on two CT images using CB and 3D Bolus, a treatment plan was established assuming VMAT treatment of Hypopharynx Cancer. CBCT images were obtained for each of the two established treatment plans 18 times, and the treatment efficiency was evaluated by measuring the setup time each time. Based on the obtained CBCT image, the adaptive plan was performed through Pinnacle, a computerized treatment planning system, to evaluate target, normal organ dose evaluation, and changes in bolus volume. Results: The setup time for each treatment plan was reduced by an average of 28 sec in the 3D Bolus treatment plan compared to the CB treatment plan. The Bolus Volume change during the pretreatment period was 86.1±2.70㎤ in 83.9㎤ of CB Initial Plan and 99.8±0.46㎤ in 92.2㎤ of 3D Bolus Initial Plan. The change in CTV Min Value was 167.4±19.38cGy in CB Initial Plan 191.6cGy and 149.5±18.27cGy in 3D Bolus Initial Plan 167.3cGy. The change in CTV Mean Value was 228.3±0.38cGy in CB Initial Plan 227.1cGy and 227.7±0.30cGy in 3D Bolus Initial Plan 225.9cGy. The change in PTV Min Value was 74.9±19.47cGy in CB Initial Plan 128.5cGy and 83.2±12.92cGy in 3D Bolus Initial Plan 139.9cGy. The change in PTV Mean Value was 226.2±0.83cGy in CB Initial Plan 225.4cGy and 225.8±0.33cGy in 3D Bolus Initial Plan 224.1cGy. The maximum value for the normal organ spinal cord was the same as 135.6cGy on average each time. Conclusion: From the experimental results of this paper, it was found that the application of 3D Bolus to the irregular body surface is more dosimetrically useful than the application of Commercial Bolus, and the setup reproducibility and efficiency are excellent. If further case studies along with research on the diversity of 3D printing materials are conducted in the future, the application of 3D Bolus in the field of radiation therapy is expected to proceed more actively.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.259-264
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• 2020

PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the color stability of provisional restorative materials fabricated by 3D printing, dental milling, and conventional materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS. For the experimental groups, two commercially available 3D-printing provisional resins (E-Dent 100; EnvisionTEC GmbH, Germany & VeroGlaze™; Stratasys^®, USA), two dental milling blocks (PMMA Disk; Yamahachi Dental Co., Japan & Telio^®CAD; Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Liechtenstein), and two conventional materials (Alike™; GC Co., Japan & Luxatemp automix plus; DMG, Germany) were used. The water sorption and solubility test were (n=10, respectively) carried out according to ISO4049:2000 (International Standards Organization, Geneva, Switzerland). For the color stability test (n=10), coffee and black tea were used as staining solutions, and the specimens were stored for 12 weeks. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD using SPSS version 22.0 (SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA) (P<.05). RESULTS. Alike and Veroglaze showed the highest values and Luxatemp showed the lowest water sorption. In the color stability test, the ΔE of conventional materials varied depending on the staining solution. PMMA milling blocks showed a relatively low ΔE up to 4 weeks, and then significantly increased after 8 weeks (P<.05). 3D-printed materials exhibited a high ΔE or a significant increase over time (P<.05). CONCLUSION. The degree of discoloration increased with time, and a visually perceptible color difference value (ΔE) was shown regardless of the materials and solutions. PMMA milled and 3D-printed materials showed more rapid change in discoloration after 8 weeks.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.218-222
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• 2014

A 3D printer was used to fabricate a micro-TAS system for biomedical applications. A polymeric medical device fabrication based on a 3D printer can be performed at atmospheric conditions. A CAD- and CAM-based system is a flexible method to design medical components, and a 3D printer is a suitable device to perform this task. In this research, a 100-micron-wide fluidic channel was fabricated with a high-aspect ratio. A cross-sectional SEM image confirmed its possible usage in a micro-reactor using 3D printers. CNC-machined samples were compared to 3D printer-fabricated samples, and the advantages and disadvantages were discussed. Based on the SEM images, the surface roughness of the 3D printed reactor was not affected by wet or dry conditions due to its manufacturing principle. An aspect ratio of 5 to 1 was achievable with 100-${\mu}$ m-wide fluid channels. No melting was found, and the shape of channels was straight enough to be used for micro reactors.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.106-110
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• 2017

The variable density phantom fabricated with varying the infill values of 3D printer to provide more accurate dose verification of radiation treatments. A total of 20 samples of rectangular shape were fabricated by using the $Finebot^{TM}$ (AnyWorks; Korea) Z420 model ($width{\times}length{\times}height=50mm{\times}50mm{\times}10mm$) varying the infill value from 5% to 100%. The samples were scanned with 1-mm thickness using a Philips Big Bore Brilliance CT Scanner (Philips Medical, Eindhoven, Netherlands). The average Hounsfield Unit (HU) measured by the region of interest (ROI) on the transversal CT images. The average HU and the infill values of the 3D printer measured through the 2D area profile measurement method exhibited a strong linear relationship (adjusted R-square=0.99563) in which the average HU changed from -926.8 to 36.7, while the infill values varied from 5% to 100%. This study showed the feasibility fabricating variable density phantoms using the 3D printer with FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)-type and PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) materials.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.90-93
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• 2015

The fibula free flap has now become the most reliable and frequently used option for mandible reconstruction. Recently, three dimensional images and printing technologies are applied to mandibular reconstruction. We introduce our recent experience of mandibular reconstruction using three dimensionally planned fibula free flap in a patient with gunshot injury. The defect was virtually reconstructed with three-dimensional image. Because bone fragments are dislocated from original position, relocation was necessary. Fragments are virtually relocated to original position using mirror image of unaffected right side of the mandible. A medical rapid prototyping (MRP) model and cutting guide was made with 3D printer. Titanium reconstruction plate was adapted to the MRP model manually. 7 cm-sized fibula bone flap was designed on left lower leg. After dissection, proximal and distal margin of fibula flap was osteotomized by using three dimensional cutting guide. Segmentation was also done as planned. The fibula bone flap was attached to the inner side of the prebent reconstruction plate and fixed with screws. Postoperative evaluation was done by comparison between preoperative planning and surgical outcome. Although dislocated condyle is still not in ideal position, we can see that reconstruction was done as planned.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.360-368
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• 2022

PURPOSE. This study assessed the physical and mechanical properties of interim crown materials fabricated using various digital techniques after accelerated aging. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Three groups of interim dental restorative materials (N = 20) were tested. The first group (CO) was fabricated using a conventional manual method. The second group (ML) was prepared from prefabricated resin blocks for the milling method and cut into specimen sizes using a cutting disc. The third group (3D) was additively manufactured using a digital light-processing (DLP) 3D printer. Aging acceleration treatments using toothbrushing and thermocycling simulators were applied to half of the specimens corresponding to three years of usage in the oral environment (N = 10). Surface roughness (Ra), Vickers microhardness, 3-point bending, sorption, and solubility tests were performed. A 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher's multiple comparison test were used to compare the results among the groups. RESULTS. The mean surface roughness (Ra) of the resin after accelerated aging was significantly higher in the CO and ML groups than that before aging, but not in the 3D group. All groups showed reduced hardness after accelerated aging. The flexural strength values were highest in the 3D group, followed by the ML and CO groups after accelerated aging. Accelerated aging significantly reduced water sorption in the ML group. CONCLUSION. According to the tested material and 3D printer type, both 3D-printed and milled interim restoration resins showed higher flexural strength and modulus, and lower surface roughness than those prepared by the conventional method after accelerated aging.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.196-202
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• 2020

Recently three-dimensional (3D) printed complete dentures are becoming more widely recognized as one of the treatment options for the edentulous patients. Korean National Healthcare, however, has not yet approved the application of the 3D printed dentures, and in the cases where the dentures should be refabricated, the conventional fabrication process needs to be entirely repeated. However, during the conventional process, the digital scan data of some key steps could be easily obtained. In this clinical case, using these data, a new pair of 3D printed dentures that improved the limitations of the first conventional dentures were successfully fabricated.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.255-260
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• 2022

This research presents tetrahedral amorphous (ta-C) coating on the artificial tooth for improving the durability and functionality (esthtics, foreign body of tooth) by filtered cathodic vacuum arc (FCVA). A differentiated coating method is required for a ta-C coating on polymer owing to the low melting point of the polymer, inter-facial adhesion, low friction, and non-conductivity. Herein, ta-C coating is applied below 50℃, and the potential difference of the carbon plasma drawn to the substrate was controlled by applying a positive duct bias voltage without using a substrate bias voltage. Consequently, the ta-C coating with a thickness of 70nm using the duct bias condition of 20V with the highest plasma intensity satisfies the esthetics of the artificial tooth and had a 5B level of inter-facial adhesion. In addition, the composite hardness of ta-C/polymer is 380 MPa, and correlations with esthetics, sp³ bonding, and mechanical properties. The friction coefficient (CoF) of the ta-C coating in a water-lubricated environment is 0.07, showing a six-fold reduction in CoF compared with that of a polymer.