Regenerating Vascularized Craniofacial Bone from 3D-Printed Scaffolds and Stromal-Vascular Fraction Cells: An Animation and Interactive Presentation for Lay Audience and Scientists
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Date
2016-03-22
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Johns Hopkins University
Abstract
Present day surgical reconstruction of large craniofacial defects relies on bone grafts to restore the patient’s facial structure and function. However, this procedure is limited in success due to the complex orbital, maxillary, zygomatic, and mandibular structure of the craniofacial area. The most effective post-surgical patient social reintegration correlates not only to the anatomical and physiological outcomes of the surgery, but also its cosmetic results.
To this end, biomaterials and medical research proposes a 3D printed scaffold customized to fit the patient. However, there are currently no existing visualizations to explain the complex science of this procedure, hindering progress both in how the research is communicated, as well as opportunities for funding and research.
To fulfill the lack of biovisualization material pertaining to 3D printed scaffolds, a presentation animation was created using a combination of 2D and 3D assets, as well as 3D models extracted from CT scans. The resulting MPG4 animation files were created using a combination of Osirix reconstruction software and edited using Zbrush digital sculpting software. Assets were then imported into Cinema 4D modeling/animation software and AfterEffects compositing and animation software. In addition, a browser-based interactive presentation was made with the purpose of elucidating the cellular process of angiogenesis. An interactive presentation of angiogenesis was also made with 3D models, and implemented through HTML and Javascript. The presentation was created to be viewed using standard browser applications for ease of access, without the need for plugins or file distribution.
The creation of these visualizations addresses the advantages of 3D printed scaffolds compared to current surgical bone graft methods, as well as the visualization and rate at which the bone would become vascularized, in order to communicate the current state of craniofacial reconstruction research. The animation and interactive presentation produced as a result of this project not only allows both the layman and scientist to understand and learn about 3D printed bony scaffolds, but also brings attention to the rapidly progressing field of medical biomaterials. This research further highlights the potential and need for biovisualizations to burgeon alongside this exciting frontier of medical research.
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3D Animation, Interactive Presentation, 3D printing