Page 35 - 3D Metal Printing Winter 2018

AM for the OR 3D
Fig. 4—Scanning electron microscopic images of teeth patterns of the graspers.
closest distance between two teeth of each appropriate laparoscopic gripper sample. Table 2 shows the average measurements for the lofted and cubical grip types. Table 3 shows the average measurements with standard deviation for the hemispherical grip type.
A scanning electron microscope pro- vided dimensional analysis of the samples using a 50X magnifying lens. Measure- ment locations included the curved tip of the sample, base of the curved tip, mid- dle of the sample, center-right of the sam- ple, and the right edge. For this experi- ment, an observable difference between the intended measurement from the SolidWorks file and the actual measure- ment was defined as greater than or equal to 100 micrometers, indicating an error in the 3D-printing process. Here’s what the team found:
Lofted-teeth pattern. There was no observable difference between the average base length and base width, and the actual measurements of the base length and width were not observably different from the experimental averages. Secondly, the average length and width of the lofted gripper type had no observable difference between them. Conversely, the actual measurements of the teeth length and width were observably different from the experimental averages. This indicates a probable error with the 3D printing of the lofted gripper types on both the top and bottom sides.
Cubical-teeth pattern. Concentrating on the base length (not enough data were obtained for the base width), the experi- mental results were not observably dif-
Weighty Matters Present Opportunity for 3DMP
Laparoscopic (minimally invasive) procedures for treating obesity are on the rise, creating an opportunity for 3D metal printing. According to iData Research, the market for laparoscopic bariatric surgical instruments is expect- ed to increase from $7.61 billion in 2016 to $11.68 billion by 2021, for a com- pound annual growth rate of 8.9 percent, a direct result of the nation’s obesity rate. Sixty-eight percent of Americans are categorized by doctors as over- weight, with a body mass index (BMI) between 25.0 and 29.9; 34 percent of this group are obese, with a BMI of 30 or higher.
While surgery can be an effective treatment for obesity, the instruments sometimes fall short. Currently, same-size, same-shape tools are used for all laparoscopic procedures, though patients are anything but that. This lack of customized tools contributes to thousands of surgical complications monthly, thus creating an urgent need for the development and commercialization of customizable tools.
While conventional manufacturing processes such as forging and metal- injection molding offer little opportunity for patient-specific customization, 3D metal printing could prove to be the cure.
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ferent from the intended results. Similarly, both the teeth length and width diameters were deemed accurate. The only signifi- cant observation found on the cubical gripper types involved slight teeth defor- mation on the edges of some samples. This deformation is unlikely to affect the gripper’s functional capacity.
Hemispherical-teeth pattern. The actual measurements of the upper teeth were not observably different from the intended measurement. The same held true for all other measurement compar- isons related to the hemispherical-teeth pattern.
Density is Key to Success
Bulk density plays a major role in
achieving competitive mechanical prop- erties for L-PBF-printed parts. All the graspers were printed with very high den- sity, which demonstrates the reliability of the process.
Overall, analysis of the measurements show that the hemispherical and cubi- cal-shaped samples were accurately print- ed, though the lofted samples were incon- sistent and require further study.
Ensuring the accuracy of customizable laparoscopic surgical tools calls for more characterization, surface profilometry, hardness and tensile testing. Nonetheless, this research clearly shows that customiz- able laparoscopic surgical tools will soon be a reality, thanks to the capabilities of 3D metal printing. 3DMP