Integrated Methodologies and Technologies for the Design of Advanced Biomedical Devices

Biomedical devices with tailored properties were designed using advanced methodologies and technologies. In particular, design for additive manufacturing, reverse engineering, material selection, experimental and theoretical analyses were properly integrated. The focus was on the design of: i) 3D additively manufactured hybrid structures for cranioplasty; ii) technical solutions and customized prosthetic devices with tailored properties for skull base reconstruction after endoscopic endonasal surgery; iii) solid-lattice hybrid structures with optimized properties for biomedical applications. The feasibility of the proposed technical solutions was also assessed through virtual and physical models

Novel concepts and strategies in skull base reconstruction after endoscopic endonasal surgery

Recently, a variety of craniofacial approaches has been adopted to enter the skull base, among those, the endonasal endoscopic technique. An effective watertight thereafter: the reconstruction can be performed using different materials, both autologous and non-autologous, individually or combined in a multilayer fashion. The current study was focused on the development of new advanced devices and techniques, aiding in reducing postoperative CSF leak rate. Additive manufacturing allows the design of devices with tailored structural and functional features and, as well, injectable semi-IPNs and composites; therefore specific mechanical/rheological and injectability studies are valuable. Accordingly, we propose new additive-manufactured and injectable devices

Strategies for the design of additively manufactured nanocomposite scaffolds for hard tissue regeneration

Additive manufacturing represents a powerful tool for the direct fabrication of lightweight and porous structures with tuneable properties. In this study, a fused deposition modelling/3D fibre deposition technique was considered for designing 3D nanocomposite scaffolds with specific architectures and tailored biological, mechanical, and mass transport properties. 3D poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocomposite scaffolds were designed for bone tissue engineering. An optimisation design strategy for the additive manufacturing processes based on extrusion/injection methods was at first extended to the development of the PCL/HA scaffolds. Further insight into the effect of the process parameters on the mechanical properties and morphological features of the nanocomposite scaffolds was provided. The nanocomposite structures were analysed at different levels, and the possibility of designing 3D customised scaffolds for mandibular defect regeneration (i.e., symphysis and ramus) was also reported

Additive manufacturing and technical strategies for improving outcomes in breast reconstructive surgery

It has been widely reported that breast reconstruction improves the quality of life of women who undergo mastectomy for breast cancer. This approach provides many psychological advantages. Today, different techniques are available for the breast oncoplastic surgeon that involve the use of breast implants and autologous tissues, also offering interesting results in terms of aesthetic and patient-reported outcomes. On the other hand, advanced technologies and design strategies (i.e. design for additive manufacturing, reverse engineering) may allow the development of customised porous structures with tailored morphological, mechanical, biological, and mass transport properties. For this reason, the current study deals with the challenges, principles, and methods of developing 3D additive manufactured structures in breast reconstructive surgery. Specifically, the aim was to design 3D additive manufactured poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds with different architectures (i.e. lay-down patterns). Preliminary mechanical and biological analyses have shown the effect of the laydown pattern on the performances of the manufactured structures