INDUSTRY NEWS
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A stylus with force-feedback technology allows designers of custom body parts to “feel” the implant or prosthesis in relation to the patient’s skull or soft tissue as the body part is designed on screen.
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A company that develops force feedback–enabled products for use in surgical simulations, R&D, robotics, and manufacturing applications recently demonstrated a 3-D modelling system for the rapid, accurate production of custom body parts.
The FreeForm 3D modelling system from SensAble Technologies (Woburn, MA, USA) allows technicians to sculpt custom body parts by touch. The haptic-enabled stylus allows the user to “feel” the implant or prosthesis and the patient’s skull or soft tissue as he or she designs the body part on screen. Medical teams can review the part electronically and instantly make refinements before exporting it for rapid prototyping or milling. Traditionally, this process necessitates carving models from wax, clay, or gypsum, a laborious and often iterative technique. One customer that used FreeForm technology to create an orbital implant was able to shave 30% off the amount of time it would ordinarily take to produce the eye socket, and the patient had to suffer through fewer fitting visits.
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The technology has been deemed efficient and cost-effective by the National Centre for Product Design & Development Research at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff, UK. The centre offers it on a commercial basis for reconstructive modelling and prosthetics creation.
SensAble Technologies markets haptic devices and developer toolkits to medical, dental, design, and manufacturing companies worldwide.
For more information on SensAble Technologies’ products, contact the firm at 15 Constitution Way, Woburn, MA 01801, USA; phone: +1 781 939 7493; Internet: www.sensable.com.
