An automated parametric ear model to improve frugal 3D scanning methods for the advanced manufacturing of high-quality prosthetic ears.

Ear prostheses are commonly used for restoring aesthetics to those suffering missing or malformed external ears. Traditional fabrication of these prostheses is labour intensive and requires expert skill from a prosthetist. Advanced manufacturing including 3D scanning, modelling and 3D printing has the potential to improve this process, although more work is required before it is ready for routine clinical use.

Frugal 3D scanning using smartphones provides an accessible framework for capturing the external ear.

Three-dimensional (3D) scanning technologies, such as medical imaging and surface scanning, have important applications for capturing patient anatomy to create personalised prosthetics. Digital approaches for capturing anatomical detail as opposed to traditional, invasive impression techniques significantly reduces turnaround times and lower production costs while still maintaining the high aesthetic quality of the end product. While previous case studies utilise expensive 3D scanning and modelling frameworks, their clinical translation is limited due to high equipment costs.

Past, Present, and Future of Soft-Tissue Prosthetics: Advanced Polymers and Advanced Manufacturing.

Millions of people worldwide experience disfigurement due to cancers, congenital defects, or trauma, leading to significant psychological, social, and economic disadvantage. Prosthetics aim to reduce their suffering by restoring aesthetics and function using synthetic materials that mimic the characteristics of native tissue. In the 1900s, natural materials used for thousands of years in prosthetics were replaced by synthetic polymers bringing about significant improvements in fabrication and greater realism and utility.

An advanced prosthetic manufacturing framework for economic personalised ear prostheses.

Craniofacial prostheses are commonly used to restore aesthetics for those suffering from malformed, damaged, or missing tissue. Traditional fabrication is costly, uncomfortable for the patient, and laborious; involving several hours of hand-crafting by a prosthetist, with the results highly dependent on their skill level. In this paper, we present an advanced manufacturing framework employing three-dimensional scanning, computer-aided design, and computer-aided manufacturing to efficiently fabricate patient-specific ear prostheses.

Advancements in Soft-Tissue Prosthetics Part B: The Chemistry of Imitating Life.

Each year, congenital defects, trauma or cancer often results in considerable physical disfigurement for many people worldwide. This adversely impacts their psychological, social and economic outlook, leading to poor life experiences and negative health outcomes. In many cases of soft tissue disfigurement, highly personalized prostheses are available to restore both aesthetics and function.

Advancements in Soft-Tissue Prosthetics Part A: The Art of Imitating Life.

Physical disfigurement due to congenital defects, trauma, or cancer causes considerable distress and physical impairment for millions of people worldwide; impacting their economic, psychological and social wellbeing. Since 3000 B.C.