DMLS: The Future of Custom-Made Cranioplasty Design and Manufacturing

~ 2010 RTAM/SME DICK AUBIN DISTINGUISHED PAPER AWARD ~

Cranial bone defects following craniotomy (bone removal) arise due to trauma, tumor removal, or more commonly, decompression craniotomy. Custom-made cranial implants are often used to replace missing bone. The traditional method of using self-curing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement molded by hand has been updated to new methods such as the use of cobalt chrome, heat-cured PMMA, and more recently, titanium (Ti) for its biocompatible performance. This paper investigates the manufacture of cranial plates using computer tomography (CT) data, 3D CAD, and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) to reduce lead times for cranial bone implant manufacture and improve clinical outcome.

Presented at: RAPID 2010 AND 3D IMAGING CONFERENCES & EXPOSITION, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, May 18-20, 2010, Anaheim, CA.