Page 33 - 3D Metal Printing Winter 2018

FEATURE 3D
AM for the OR:
Laser-Powder Bed Fusion
Delivers Laparoscopic
Instruments
BY SUBRATA DEB NATH, AKUL RAJAN, JOYCE YEUNG, SUNDAR ATRE
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The rising rate of laparoscopic bariatric procedures (see sidebar) brings with it a need for customiz- able tools to ensure better patient out- comes. Because same-shape, same-size tools are used on patients of various shapes and sizes, complications occur. A University of Louisville 3D Printing Business Incubator team, consisting of Alex Conradi, Josh Graff, Jacob Groeschen and Ryan Stoller with the supervision of Dr. Michael H Bahr from the University of Louisvlle Medical School, recognized this reality as an opportunity for additive
4.38 manufacturing. So the team developed novel laparoscopic graspers made through 3D printing using laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF). The instruments can be customized according to tissue types and pressure points. Other benefits include teeth that minimize slippage, high dimensional accuracy, reduced lead
Subrata Deb Nath is a Ph.D research assis- tant–additive manufacturing, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY; Akul Rajan is a student at William Mason High School, Mason, OH; Joyce Yeung is director of mar- keting, Concept Laser, Inc., Grapevine, TX; Sundar Atre holds an endowed chair of manufacturing and materials, University of Louisville.
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26.23 mm
Fig. 1—A) laparoscopic instrument and B) its grasper C) CAD model of customized surgical graspers with three different patterns D) grasper assembly and dimensions E) L-PBF printed surgical graspers.
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