3D Printing and Computer-Aided Design for Precision Osteotomy-Aided Modules in Bone Biomechanical Study

Daofeng Wang; Lin Han; Gaoxiang Xu; Wupeng Zhang; Hua Li; Cheng Xu; Huanyu Li; Jitian Li; Hao Zhang; Jiantao Li

doi:10.18063/ijb.v8i4.607

3D Printing and Computer-Aided Design for Precision Osteotomy-Aided Modules in Bone Biomechanical Study

Int J Bioprint. 2022 Aug 23;8(4):607. doi: 10.18063/ijb.v8i4.607. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Daofeng Wang^{1

2}, Lin Han³, Gaoxiang Xu^{1

2}, Wupeng Zhang^{1

2

4}, Hua Li^{1

2}, Cheng Xu^{1

2}, Huanyu Li⁵, Jitian Li⁶, Hao Zhang^{1

2}, Jiantao Li^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
² National Clinical Research Center for Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beijing, China.
³ Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.
⁴ Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
⁵ Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China.
⁶ Henan Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital (Henan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital), Henan Institute of Orthopedic and Traumatology, Luoyang, China.

Abstract

Precise and shape-matching osteotomy models are determinants of the experimental homogeneity in the assessment of orthopedic biomechanical properties. At present, however, publications on detailed description of osteotomy in bone biomechanical study are scanty. The purposes of this study were to design a new method of osteotomy-aided module production for bone biomechanical study with the help of three-dimensional (3D) printing and computer-aided design (CAD) and to test the accuracy of osteotomy. Fourteen fourth-generation composite femurs were analyzed. The composite bone was scanned using computed tomography (CT) scanner and loaded in Mimics for reconstruction and, then, imported into 3-Matic software to design intertrochanteric region, distal femur, and rotation control lever models. 3D printer was used to print each component. After assembling Sawbones and osteotomy modules, a horizontal band-saw was used to create fracture models. The volume and mass of intermediate fragments were calculated and analyzed. Satisfactory osteotomies of all composite Sawbones were achieved. The mean volume and mass of intermediate fragments were 21.0 ± 1.5 mm³ and 19.0 ± 1.2 g, respectively. Range of deviation from average of volumes was -1.9 - 2.8 mm³ and most of these deviations fall within the range of -1.4 - 2.1 mm³. Range of deviation from average of mass was -2.0 - 1.6 g and most of these deviations fall within the range of -1.4 - 1.6 g. One-dimensional histogram of deviation from average shows the precise and stable osteotomy performed based on the modules accordingly. A new method of osteotomy-aided module production for bone biomechanical study with the help of 3D printing and CAD was designed and the accuracy of osteotomy was verified. This method is expected to achieve homogeneity and standardization of osteotomy in bone biomechanical study.

Keywords: 3D printing; Bone biomechanics; Computer-aided design; Osteotomy.