3D printing is an additive manufacturing technology whereby material is distributed according to a predesigned model on a layer-by-layer basis to build a physical 3D model reflecting the patient’s anatomy. The three most frequent uses of this additive manufacturing technology in biomedicine are:
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- manufacture of anatomical models to improve surgical planning.
- creation of custom-made surgical instruments, clinical management guides and intraoperative equipment.
- lmanufacture of custom-made prostheses and implants.
The new Biodonostia HRI Multidisciplinary 3D Printing Platform (3DPP), launched in December 2018, is made up of two interdependent units:
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- the “3D Biomodelling Unit”, with its headquarters at the Donostialdea IHO, provides its service in the area of biomodels, understood as the modelling of disease (mainly tumours) in order to improve the surgical approach and patient operating times, as well as to personalise prosthetic implants.
- the “3D Biomanufacturing Unit”, with its headquarters on the second floor of the Institute, provides its service in the area of bioprinting cells and tissues for use in approaches based on regenerative medicine.
Services
3D Biomodelling Unit
The 3D Biomodelling Unit has a solid background, based on interaction between the Donostialdea IHO Thoracic Surgery and Radiodiagnostic Services, Tecnun/CEIT-IK4, Tknika and other actors, having already positioned itself as one of the national reference units in the field. Through a working group from the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery (SECT), here 23 Spanish hospitals have generated 36 specific biomodels for their patients. This means that translation to the clinic is a reality. In the last two years, the Donostialdea IHO-Biodonostia HRI have performed 27 cases of Thoracic Surgery, 2 cases of Maxillofacial Surgery, 2 cases of pancreatic tumours and 3 cases of Traumatology
Responsible
Dr. David López Vaquero
Tel.:
E-mail: plataforma.biomodelado3D@biodonostia.org
Staff
Raquel Hernáez Moya
Tel.: +34 943 004271
E-mail: raquel.hernaez@biodonostia.org
- One FDM printer (Witbox, BQ) funded by the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery (SECT), which only prints PLA filaments.
- One FDM printer (F370, Stratasys) which can work with different materials (PLA2, ABS-M30, ASA, FDM TPU 92A and PC-ABS) including elastomers and can print complex shapes by using these components and sacrificial support materials (QSR).
- One HP Z240 workstation for image segmentation, with graphics card and three associated screens.
- One ASUS GL553VD Intel Core laptop to load and print the segmented images.
Impresora FDM (F370, Stratasys) | Impresora FDM (F370, Stratasys) | Impresora FDM (Witbox, BQ) |
Ejemplo de Biomodelo | . | . |
- Image segmentation and refinement (.DICOM file)
- Form2 3D printing: with resin and flexible materials (Elastic 50A, Flexible 80A)
- Stratasys F370 3D printing
- Biomodel post-processing (Isopropyl alcohol)
- Biomodel post-processing (Caustic soda)
- Design and printing of equipment
- High Resolution and Metal 3D printing
3D Biomanufacturing Unit
The 3D Biomanufacturing Unit is currently in the early stages of development. On the initiative of the Donostialdea IHO Otorhinolaryngology Department, a bioprinter was set in motion to print cartilage, with a view to its use in septal and tympanic perforation. In late 2018 new equipment was purchased and bioprinting projects were launched in different areas (oncology, urology, surgery).
Responsible
Dra. Ana Aiastui Pujana
Tel: +34 943 006127
E-mail: plataforma.biofabricacion3D@biodonostia.org
Staff
Raquel Hernáez Moya
Tel.: +34 943 004271
E-mail: raquel.hernaez@biodonostia.org
- An FDM Biobots-Allevi bioprinter with two heated pneumatic extruders, propelled by compressed gas (California Air Tools 2010A-22050 compressor, 0-120 PSI) and a 400-410 nm LED lamp for photocuring. This printer has a resolution of 150 microns and can print volumes of 9 x 9 x 9 cm.
- An HP 260-a101ns computer with AMD A8-7410 APU processor and AMD Radeon R5 Graphics 2.20 GHz graphics card, with 4GB of RAM, for printing in the Biobots-Allevi.
- A bIDO-I bioprinter with a modular system of interchangeable printing heads and a load capacity of up to 3 materials simultaneously, by means of mechanical extrusion, with an independent heat control for the three materials and for the print bed, and a vacuum system for fixing elements to the bed, DAD CAM software, computer and user interface. This printer has a resolution of 50 microns and can print volumes of 12 x 12 x 12 cm.
- Small equipment for descellularising tissues and manufacturing bioinks: peristaltic pump (Rotarus 30, Hirschmann), magnetic stirrer (RT2, Thermo Scientific) and rotor mill (Pulverisette, Fritsch) for grinding the extracellular matrix.
- -20ºC cooler/chiller for storing the Unit reagents.
- Recirculating cooler (Julabo FC600) for heat control of the print bed.
- A 150 cm biological safety cabinet containing the Unit’s two bioprinters to ensure that the printed constructs are sterile, with the complementary equipment located adjacent to these.
- Leica S9i stereoscopic microscope: for observation and study of the printed 3D structures.
- Compression/tensile - Instron Mini 44.
- SEM microscopy.
- Confocal microscopy.
- AFM.
- Rheometer.
Impresora FDM (F370, Stratasys) y Biompresora FDM Biobots-Allevi | . |
- Printing of 3D PCL scaffolds with chondrocytes for their cartilage differentiation
- Testing of materials for printing polymers (PCL, PLA, alginates, etc.)
- Decellularization of tissues and their subsequent solubilization in order to generate a bio-ink
- In vivo testing of scaffolds