title: Rapid protyping technology in medicine--basics and applications.
abstract: Using medical models built with Rapid Prototyping (RP) technologies represents a new approach for surgical planning and simulation. These techniques allow one to reproduce anatomical objects as 3D physical models, which give the surgeon a realistic impression of complex structures before a surgical intervention. The shift from the visual to the visual-tactile representation of anatomical objects introduces a new kind of interaction called 'touch to comprehend'. As can be seen, from the presented case studies of maxillo-cranio-facial surgery, the RP models are very well suited for use in the diagnosis and the precise preoperative simulation of skeleton modifying interventions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Physics, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany. ralf.petzold@imp.uni-erlangen.de
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Petzold
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Zeilhofer
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Kalender
mesh_terms: D000168:Acrocephalosyndactylia / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000601:surgery; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005145:Face / Q000601:surgery*; D006053:Goldenhar Syndrome / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort / Q000379:methods; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010969:Plastics; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D012886:Skull / Q000601:surgery*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D011140:Polyurethanes; D012117:Resins, Synthetic