SensAble’s FreeForm 3D Modeling System Showcased at Annual Digital Technology Medical Conference

By DE Editors

Sensable Technologies, Inc. (Cardiff, Wales), provider of touch-enabled modeling solutions and haptic devices, together with Majenta Solutions (Woburn, MA),  an authorized UK reseller, showcased various uses for the FreeForm 3D modeling system for quickly creating patient-specific cranial and maxillofacial implants and prostheses at the third annual conference on Advanced Digital Technology for Head and Neck Reconstruction today. Those uses included:

• Orbital (eye socket) soft-tissue implants created by Morriston Hospital in South Wales
• Surgical guides and soft-tissue, extra-oral prosthetics for eyes, ears and noses created by the University of Wales Institute - Cardiff’s National Centre for Product Design & Development Research (PDR)
• Custom titanium dental onlays to correct mandibular asymmetry made by the University of Sheffield’s School of Clinical Dentistry

Using SensAble’s FreeForm 3D modeling system, medical teams can sculpt complex forms for custom implants that are often irregular or organic shapes in up to 30 percent of the time it would have taken to create with traditional wax, clay or gypsum carving procedures. Peter Evans, a consultant in maxillofacial prosthetics at Morriston Hospital said that they have formed a collaboration called CARTIS to explore how digital 3D design can assist in reconstructive modeling.

FreeForm users use a stylus-like PHANTOM haptic device rather than a mouse to literally sculpt by touch – actually “feeling” the implant or prosthesis and the patient’s skull or soft tissue, as they are designing on-screen – just as they would if they were working with wax or clay. Medical teams can then review electronically and make quick alterations for an accurate fit before exporting for rapid prototyping or milling. For more information, visit SensAble Technologies, Inc.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.