Basics and applications of rapid prototyping medical models
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide an overview of rapid prototyping (RP) and shows the potential of this technology in the field of medicine as reported in various journals and proceedings. This review article also reports three case studies from open literature where RP and associated technology have been successfully implemented in the medical field.
Design/methodology/approach
Key publications from the past two decades have been reviewed.
Findings
This study concludes that use of RP-built medical model facilitates the three-dimensional visualization of anatomical part, improves the quality of preoperative planning and assists in the selection of optimal surgical approach and prosthetic implants. Additionally, this technology makes the previously manual operations much faster, accurate and cheaper. The outcome based on literature review and three case studies strongly suggests that RP technology might become part of a standard protocol in the medical sector in the near future.
Originality/value
The article is beneficial to study the influence of RP and associated technology in the field of medicine.
Keywords
Citation
Negi, S., Dhiman, S. and Kumar Sharma, R. (2014), "Basics and applications of rapid prototyping medical models", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 20 No. 3, pp. 256-267. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-07-2012-0065
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited