TissueDB/Materials/PLA
(Redirected from TissueDB/Materials/3D Printed Bone)
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from renewable resources (corn starch, sugarcane). In medical simulation, PLA filament is used for 3D printing anatomically accurate rigid structures. Available in multiple colours, PLA can be printed at various infill densities to adjust mechanical properties such as rigidity, weight, and drill resistance.
Tissues
| Tissue | Visual | Tactile | Simulator | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone | PLA filament; print settings vary by simulator. | Pediatric Forearm Fracture Simulator, Humeral Fracture Fixation Simulator, Lower Limb Deformity Correction Simulator, Tibial Shaft Transverse Fracture Simulator | Rigid 3D-printed bone substitute for fracture fixation and deformity correction training. | ||
| Bone (ribs) | PLA filament (grade inferred — not specified in source) | Chest Tube Simulator (Bettega) | 3D-printed rib framework derived from a chest CT scan; provides rigid bony landmarks for chest tube insertion training. Included in US$133 total build cost. | ||
| Bone (ribs) | PLA filament (grade inferred — not specified in source; printed on Ultimaker 3 with PVA support) | Brannan Chest Tube Simulator | 3D-printed rib framework derived from a chest CT scan; provides rigid bony landmarks for tube thoracostomy training in a multifunctional thorax model simulator. Filament grade not specified in Brannan 2021. | ||
| Bone (infant tibia) | Partial | Partial | Ecotough recycled PLA filament (0% infill, 1.2 mm wall) | Infant Intraosseous Infusion Simulator (Micallef) | Hollow 3D-printed infant proximal tibial bone fragments for intraosseous needle insertion training. Consumable — replaced after each use.[1] |
| Trachea | Partial | Partial | Kei REAL CRIC Trainer | 3D-printed rigid tracheal scaffold providing anatomical form for cricothyrotomy incision site; does not simulate tracheal tissue compliance. | |
| Skull | Partial | Partial | STA-MCA Bypass Trainer | Rigid 3D-printed cranial model providing the anatomical working corridor through which microsurgical extracranial-to-intracranial bypass is performed. | |
| Bladder | PLA filament printed on Ultimaker 3 (20 per cent infill, 0.2 mm layer height) | Urinary Catheterization Simulator (Gillis) | 3D-printed PLA bladder body and base houses the threaded insert and screw-in valve body of the one-way bladder valve; the acrylic front window seated with silicone caulking is non-PLA. Source: Gillis CJ, Bishop N, Walsh G, Harvey D 2020, Cureus 12(5):e8377. DOI 10.7759/cureus.8377. PMID 32626621. PMC PMC7328704. |
Troubleshooting
- Soft tissue simulation — PLA is rigid and brittle; does not provide elastic deformation or tear characteristics. Use silicone or gelatin instead.
- Procedures requiring biological feedback — Cannot simulate bleeding, tissue perfusion, or temperature changes.
- Low-infill prints for load-bearing procedures — Infill below 80% may shatter unpredictably under drilling, creating unrealistic feedback.
Alternatives
| Alternative | Best For | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Bone | Closest match to human bone drilling response, auditory feedback | Requires sourcing and cleaning, variable quality, biological waste |
| PVC | Standardised resistance, uniform properties | No anatomical accuracy, lacks cortical-cancellous transition |
| Bamboo | Ultra-low-cost in tropical regions | Limited anatomical shapes, variable wall thickness |
Used In Simulators
| Simulator | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pediatric Forearm Fracture Simulator | 3D-printed bone substitute for paediatric forearm fracture fixation training. | |
| Humeral Fracture Fixation Simulator | 3D-printed bone substitute for humeral fracture fixation training. | |
| Lower Limb Deformity Correction Simulator | 3D-printed bone substitute for lower limb deformity correction training. | |
| Tibial Shaft Transverse Fracture Simulator | 3D-printed proximal and distal tibial bone fragments (Models 1 and 2) for external fixation Schanz screw placement training. | |
| Kei REAL CRIC Trainer | 3D-printed tracheal scaffold overlaid with pork belly and soft-tissue analogue for cricothyrotomy training. | |
| STA-MCA Bypass Trainer | 3D-printed cranial model providing the working corridor for microsurgical extracranial-to-intracranial bypass training using perfused chicken and turkey brachial arteries as donor and recipient vessel substitutes. | |
| Chest Tube Simulator (Bettega) | 3D-printed rib framework providing rigid bony landmarks for low-cost chest tube insertion training. | |
| Brannan Chest Tube Simulator | 3D-printed rib framework and support stand for a multifunctional thorax model for tube thoracostomy training. Printed on Ultimaker 3 with PVA support material. Support stand also uses TPE 90A flexible joints. | |
| Habti Bowel Anastomosis Simulator | 3D-printed bowel mold (720 g, reusable — produces up to 4 silicone bowel segments per casting cycle) and maxSIMclamp+ tabletop clamp (160 g). Printed on Ultimaker S5 using 3D-Fuel Pro PLA (white). | |
| Infant Intraosseous Infusion Simulator (Micallef) | 3D-printed hollow infant proximal tibial bone fragments (Ecotough recycled PLA, 0% infill, 1.2 mm wall) and maxSIMbox platform components (stand, slides, clamp — 20% infill) for intraosseous needle insertion training. Consumable bone fragments replaced after each use.[1] |
References
[edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Micallef J, Arutiunian A, Hiley J, Benson A, Dubrowski A. The Development of a Cost-Effective Infant Intraosseous Infusion Simulator for Neonatal Resuscitation Program Training. Cureus 2021;13(10):e18824. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18824. PMID: 34804681.
At a Glance
Overview
[edit source]Synonyms
[edit source]Common names: PLA, Polylactic Acid, Poly(lactic acid)
Forms: PLA filament, PLA spool, white PLA, black PLA, PLA+ (enhanced), PLA Pro, white PLA filament
Abbreviations: PLA (Polylactic Acid)
Regional terms: PLA (universal abbreviation), Acide polylactique (French), Ácido poliláctico (Spanish), Polymilchsäure (German), Acido polilattico (Italian)
Background
Clinical Context for Simulation
[edit source]Processing & Preparation
[edit source]Safety Considerations
[edit source]Related Materials
[edit source]
| Authors | Arturopelayo |
|---|---|
| License | CC-BY-SA-4.0 |
| Cite as | Arturopelayo (2026). "TissueDB/Materials/PLA". Appropedia. Retrieved June 4, 2026. |