TissueDB/Sandbox/PLA
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from renewable resources (corn starch, sugarcane). In surgical simulation, PLA is the most commonly used 3D printing filament for creating anatomically accurate bone models, surgical guides, and training phantoms due to its ease of printing, low cost, and appropriate mechanical properties.
🧪 Tissues
[edit | edit source]| Tissue | V-F | T-F | Simulator | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone (long bone) | Yes | Yes | (tibial fracture trainers) | White PLA, 100% infill for cortical simulation. Provides drilling resistance and accepts fixation hardware. Print at 0.2mm layer height. Patient-specific models from CT data.[1] |
| Bone (temporal) | Yes | Yes | (mastoidectomy trainers) | Dual-color printing: white for bone, red for landmarks. Cost ~$1.50/model. Residents rated similar to cadaveric bone.[2] |
| Bone (skull/cranial) | Yes | Partial | (EVD placement trainers) | Multi-layer printing: outer table, cancellous, inner table. Replaceable frontal bone pieces. Agar gel interior for ventricle simulation.[1] |
| Anatomical model | Yes | Partial | (surgical planning) | Standard PLA settings (200-210°C nozzle, 60°C bed). Variable infill (20-50%) for non-drilling models. |
V-F = Visual Fidelity, T-F = Tactile Fidelity. Scale: Yes / Partial / No.
❌ Don't Use For
[edit | edit source]- Procedures requiring realistic cortical/cancellous transition — PLA prints have uniform density; no tactile differentiation between cortical and trabecular bone. Clinical consequence: Trainees won't develop the skill of recognizing drill plunge-through when entering medullary canal.
- High-temperature sterilization — PLA deforms above 60°C; cannot withstand autoclave. Clinical consequence: Single-use or surface disinfection only.
- Electrosurgery training — PLA melts and produces toxic fumes when heated. Clinical consequence: Never use cautery on PLA models.
- Flexible tissue simulation — PLA is rigid; cannot simulate cartilage or ligaments. Clinical consequence: Use TPU or silicone for non-rigid structures.
🔄 Alternatives
[edit | edit source]| Alternative | Best For | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Animal bone | Realistic cortical/cancellous transition; auditory feedback | Single-use; cultural restrictions; biological waste |
| PVC pipe | Standardized drilling; uniform diameter | No anatomical accuracy; uniform density |
| ABS filament | Higher temperature resistance; stronger | Requires heated enclosure; toxic fumes during printing |
| Resin (SLA printing) | Higher resolution; smoother surface | Higher cost; more complex post-processing |
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Class | Thermoplastic polymer (biodegradable) |
| Key Properties | 3D printable with consumer-grade FDM printers; anatomically accurate from CT/MRI data; appropriate drilling resistance |
| Cost | $1-5 per model (material only) |
| Print Settings | Nozzle: 200-210°C, Bed: 60°C, Layer: 0.1-0.2mm, Infill: 100% for drilling |
| Limitations | Uniform density; cannot withstand autoclave; melts with electrosurgery |
3D-printed PLA models have transformed surgical simulation by enabling patient-specific anatomical models at low cost. Gadaleta et al. (2020) demonstrated that PLA temporal bone models costing approximately $1.50 in materials were rated by residents as comparable to cadaveric specimens for mastoidectomy training.[2]
The widespread availability of consumer-grade FDM 3D printers has made PLA-based simulation accessible globally, including resource-limited settings where cadaveric specimens may be unavailable.
🏷️ Material Accessibility (License Plate)
[edit | edit source]| 🌙 Halal | ✡ Kosher | 🥕 Vegan | ❄️ Cold Chain | 🏔 Altitude | 💰 Cost | 🏠 Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ⚠ | L | ⚠ |
PLA is plant-derived (corn starch, sugarcane)—suitable for all dietary and religious contexts. ⚠ Altitude: 3D printing at high altitude may require adjusted settings. ⚠ Home: Requires 3D printer ($200-2000) and basic CAD skills.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Podkovik S, et al. "EVD Placement Using a Hands-On Training Session on a Simple 3D Model." Cureus. 2022;14(8):e28014. PMID: 36106246. PMC9463883
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Gadaleta DJ, et al. "3D printed temporal bone as a tool for otologic surgery simulation." Am J Otolaryngol. 2020;41(3):102273. PMID: 32007327. PMC7186172
- Barcena AJR, et al. "Emerging Biomedical and Clinical Applications of 3D-Printed PLA-Based Devices." Bioengineering. 2024;11(7):705. PMID: 39061788. PMC11274006
- Freiser ME, et al. "Operable, Low-Cost, High-Resolution 3D Printed Temporal Bones for Surgical Simulation." Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2021;130(9):1044-1051. PMID: 33499668. PMC8290786