3D Printed Organ Models Using MRE-Derived Hydrogel Composites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-dimensional object producing methods fail to accurately reproduce the distribution of properties in organisms, particularly in the medical field, where models need to mimic the texture and specific properties of organs for surgical training and simulations, but existing materials like hard resins and water-based gels struggle to replicate the complex properties and variations of actual organs.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional object is produced using a 3D printer based on biological property information obtained by MRE measurement, utilizing a hydrogel composition that includes water, a polymerizable compound, and a mineral, allowing for the creation of a model with a distribution of strength properties corresponding to the biological properties of the organism, enabling accurate reproduction of organ textures and properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hard materials such as acrylic-based resins and urethane-based resins are used in 3D printers to produce organ models, then the structural integrity and ease of manufacture are improved, but the ability to reproduce the texture of actual organs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of water-based gel materials (such as polyvinyl alcohol, silicone elastomers, or gelatin) combined with appropriate crosslinking agents and plasticizers to create models that simultaneously achieve both ease of manufacture through 3D printing and accurate reproduction of organ textures. The composite nature allows tuning of mechanical properties to match actual organs while maintaining printability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using water-based gel materials instead of traditional hard resins, and by adjusting the composition ratios of gel materials, crosslinking agents, and plasticizers to achieve the desired balance between manufacturability and texture accuracy. The water-based composition allows for better texture reproduction while maintaining structural integrity through controlled crosslinking.
2Manufacturing precision
If the casting method using a template and water-based gels is used to produce organ models, then the texture reproduction accuracy is improved, but the ability to reproduce the distribution of properties in different organ areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the organ model into multiple regions with different material compositions. By using 3D printing technology, different water-based gel materials or mixtures with varying crosslinking densities can be deposited in specific regions to reproduce the distribution of properties (such as hardness, elasticity, or density) that correspond to different anatomical areas of the actual organ, while maintaining accurate texture reproduction throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different material properties to different locations within the organ model. The 3D printing process enables spatial variation in material composition, allowing each region of the model to have the specific texture and mechanical properties that match the corresponding region of the actual organ, thereby achieving both accurate texture reproduction and property distribution representation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If doctors are consulted to determine organ textures for model production, then the adaptability to actual organ textures is improved, but the manufacturing precision for specific patient textures deteriorates due to the inability to directly measure patient organ textures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the subjective medical consultation process with objective measurement techniques. By using Medical Radiation Elastography (MRE) or other non-invasive imaging techniques, the actual mechanical properties and textures of the patient's organ can be directly measured and quantified. This objective data then guides the selection and formulation of water-based gel materials and crosslinking agents to reproduce the specific patient's organ texture with high precision, eliminating the need for subjective doctor assessments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method provides a three-dimensional object that accurately reproduces the distribution of properties in an organism, enhancing surgical training and simulations by closely mimicking the texture and properties of actual organs, thereby improving the precision and effectiveness of medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
irradiates a photo-curable resin with laser light based on two-dimensional tomographic image data captured by a tomographic shape measuring device such as a CT device to form a cured layer matching each tomographic shape
Implementation Method 2
biological property information indicating a biological property obtained by MRE measurement of an organism
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional object can be produced based on biological property information indicating a biological property obtained by MRE measurement of an organism. The three-dimensional object has a distribution of a strength property corresponding to a distribution of the biological property.