Morphometric analysis and fabrication of prosthetic ear using CAD/CAM and additive manufacturing technology
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Date
2016-06
Authors
Mohamed, Nor Azura
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Prosthetic ear rehabilitation is one of the treatments for auricular defect.
Current practice by surgeon require patient to go for osseointegrated craniofacial
implant surgery for retention of the prosthetic ear. Traditionally, the wax pattern
was created from the impression taken from patient and the final prosthesis is
processed with silicone material. This conventional method has always been time
consuming, massive work and caused discomfort to patient. Moreover the accuracy
of the final prosthetic sometimes was not satisfied. Impression technique play a vital
role in determining accurate reproduction of affected and unaffected ears, orientation
of the ear during wax try in and fabrication of ear prostheses. Hence, the ear
anthropometric data is important to determine the correct orientation and position of
the prosthetic ear.
This paper aims to provide morphometric data of a few standard ear
parameters for Kelantanese and also describes a novel method of design and
fabricating the prosthetic ear applying CAD/CAM and additive manufacturing
technologies. A clinical study is done onto a patient in HUSM and comparison is
made between traditional method and the new approach using computer aided
technology. Study also validates the prosthetic ear obtained from both techniques
with the morphometric data. The measurement technique of the final prosthetic ear
to validate the result with regards to the morphometric data was done digitally using
software. Morphometric study was conducted on 68 samples of normal ear for bothleft and right with 15 parameters measured. Data was retrieved from CT scan and
convert to 3D image using soft tissue development. Mirror image technique was
applied to reconstruct the missing ear, and then fabricate the 3D model of the
prosthetic ear using Stereolitography (SLA) technology. The 3D model will become
the master mold to produce the final prosthetic ear using vacuum casting
technology.
Morphometric analysis gave the mean and standard deviation values for
auricular length and width, length and height of tragus, insertion length of auricle,
length and width of lobular and conchal, protusion at superaurale and tragal level as
well as the inclination and symmetrical angle. While study also illustrates that there
is significant different between traditional and computer aided approach. The new
method shows time reduction during design and fabrication stage and also show
improvement in accuracy and aesthetic appearance.
Description
Keywords
Hearing disorders