R_Bibb_Medical_Modelling_The_Application_of_Adv.pdf

Case studies 109
communication and data transfer issues. In some cases, the scanner may
also have to be networked or upgraded to allow the export of image data
in a convenient format.
Although it is not in the form originally anticipated, the approach
described here enabled a service to be established that provided the desired
medical modelling service to the hospital in a fast, effi cient and economic
manner. The personnel most able to complete each task effectively handle
the individual procedures. Data transfer is fast and secure without compromising
either party’s network security. Importantly, the bulk of the costs
and decisions are kept within the surgical department that requires the
medical model and that department is thus able to control the process and
minimise those costs.
In the near future, it is likely that there will be many other factors driving
hospitals to improve their networks and electronic communications. Issues
regarding data format compatibility and fi le transfer will become more
apparent and new standards applied to ensure the effi cient and secure
transfer of all kinds of clinical information. Many of the issues encountered
in this collaboration will be overcome by the overriding proliferation of
computerised clinical information in all hospitals.
6.1.7 References
1. Greenfi eld G B, Hubbard L B (1984), Computers in Radiology, New York, USA,
Churchill-Livingstone, 91–130, ISBN: 0443083495.
2. Jacobs P F ed (1996), Stereolithography and other RP&M Technologies: from
Rapid Prototyping to Rapid Tooling, Dearborn MI, USA, Society of Manufacturing
Engineering, ISBN: 0872634671.
3. Klein H M, Schneider W, Alzen G, Voy E D, Gunther R W (1992), ‘Pediatric
craniofacial surgery: comparison of milling and stereolithography for 3D model
manufacturing’, Pediatric Radiology, 22, 458–60.
4. Bibb R, Freeman P, Brown R, Sugar A, Evans P, Bocca A (2000), ‘An investigation
of three-dimensional scanning of human body surfaces and its use in the
design and manufacture of prostheses’, Proceedings of the Institute of Mechanical
Engineers Part H, Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 214 (6), 589–94.
5. Bibb R, Brown R (2000), ‘The application of computer aided product development
techniques in medical modelling’, Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, 36,
319–24.
6. Bibb R, Brown R, Williamson T, Sugar A, Evans P, Bocca A (2000), ‘The
application of product development technologies in craniofacial reconstruction’,
Proceedings of the Ninth European Conference on Rapid Prototyping and
Manufacturing, Athens, Greece, 113–22.
7. Swaelens B, Kruth J P (1993), ‘Medical applications of rapid prototyping techniques’,
Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Rapid Prototyping,
Dayton OH, USA, 107–20.