A hospital-based quality control system for 3D models will reduce the likelihood of errors in surgical planning, resulting in better patient outcomes, said Nicole Wake, PhD, director of the 3D Imaging Lab at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.
Wake
Hospital-based 3D printing labs make patient-specific anatomic models from medical imaging data to help surgeons plan and practice detailed surgeries. The labs also make custom surgical guides used during operations. Use of 3D models has led to decreased time on the operating table, faster patient recovery times, improved patient outcomes and overall decreased hospital costs.
In order to be useful to the clinician, 3D printed anatomic models must reliably represent the patient’s anatomy, a challenge when the workflow to create the models is so complex.
“If a 3D printed model does not accurately reflect the patient’s true anatomy, then it is possible that errors in surgical planning may occur,” Dr. Wake said. “Instead of improving patient outcomes, inaccurate models may negatively affect those outcomes.”
Quality Control Protocols Help Ensure Accuracy, Safety
Performing caliper measurements on a 3D printed model.
Proper workflow and quality control procedures can minimize the negative consequences of using 3D printed models, according to Dr. Wake, a leader in the field.
Coupons/phantoms with specific geometries may be created and printed to ensure that the printing process is accurate. Verification can be performed through visual inspection, caliper measurements and surface scanning to validate the quality of the anatomic models. CT scanning after printing also can help avoid errors. Measurements obtained from the 3D printed models may be compared to the source imaging data to verify accuracy.
“The process of 3D printing from medical imaging data is very complex and errors can occur at any stage,” Dr. Wake said. “This is why it’s important to have experts managing the process and implementing proper workflow procedures and strict quality control mechanisms to ensure that patient-specific anatomic models are accurate and enhance pre-surgical planning.”
Sterilization, a necessary step for models used as surgical guides that come in contact with patients during operating procedures, represents another challenge for the makers of 3D models. The sterilization process may affect the material properties of a final 3D printed model.
“For any model that will make contact with patients in the operating room, it is imperative that printing is performed with a biocompatible, sterilizable material and that proper instructions for use regarding sterilization are performed to ensure the printed part is not modified during the sterilization procedure,” Dr. Wake said.
Exhibit authors (left to right) Clairiola Etienne, MS, Barbara Giec, MS, and Nicole Wake, PhD
The education exhibit, “Establishing a Hospital-Based Quality Control System for 3D Printed Anatomic Models,” provides several examples of potential workflow errors and possible causes. View the complete exhibit in the Learning Center or at Meeting.RSNA.org.
