R_Bibb_Medical_Modelling_The_Application_of_Adv.pdf

RESEARCH APPLICATIONS
6.15 Research applications case study 1: Bone
structure models using stereolithography
6.15.1 Acknowledgements
The work described in this case study was fi rst reported in the reference
below and is reproduced here in part or in full with the permission of MCP
UP Ltd.
• Bibb R, Sisias G, 2002, ‘Bone structure models using stereolithography:
a technical note’, Rapid Prototyping Journal, 8 (1), 25–29.
6.15.2 Introduction
In order to further the understanding of osteoporosis and its dependence
upon the material and structural properties of cancellous bone, many
experimental studies continue to be undertaken on natural tissue samples
obtained from human subjects and animals. However, a signifi cant diffi culty
in analysing in vitro bone samples is that the structural parameters have to
be elucidated by destructive means. In addition, the human in vitro samples
most readily available tend to be from an elderly population and, therefore,
may be of limited structural variation compared to the full population age
range. The development of a physical model of cancellous bone whose
structure could be controlled would provide signifi cant advantages over the
study of in vitro samples. This would also enable the relationship between
the mechanical integrity and hence fracture risk of cancellous bone and its
structural properties to be more exactly defi ned.
This study describes how these complex three-dimensional structures can
be physically reproduced using rapid prototyping (RP) techniques. As
the study will show, although use of RP techniques allows the generation
of physical objects that would have previously been impossible to manufacture,
problems are still encountered. The data, generated from
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