A research team from theUS Air Force（UAF）已成功地使用3D打印了手术牵开器。
The medical instrument, created a desktop 3D printer, is designed to be used in logistically challenging hostile environments where it is not possible to restock medical supplies using conventional methods.
It has been produced as a proof of concept, with the aim of establishing a digital library of 3D files, which could be used to produce 3D medical instruments. This would enable deployed medical personnel to download and produce a range of medical equipment,按需，现场的任何地方。
The “Air Force” retractor
A surgical retractor is an instrument used by field doctors to separate the edges of a wound or incision, in order to conduct surgery on an injured body part or limb. In what the US military describes as an anti-access or area denial (A2/AD) region, the dangers necessitate the need for such medical tools to be readily available.
The 3D printed retractor is therefore designed with field use in mind. It consists of two parallel blades of different sizes, with one designed for narrow wounds, and the other for cases requiring broader access. It has downward-angled curved blades at each end to facilitate entry and instrumentation, which has earned it the nickname of the “Air Force Retractor,” due to the similarity of the retractor blades to the swept wings of fighter aircraft.
The device was produced using aFormLabs Form2 3D SLA打印机with grey resin, which is general-purpose and often used for prototyping. In order to gain FDA approval, the instruments will need to be produced on resins that can be sterilized, andFormlabsoffers several photopolymer resins with potential medical applications. Dental SG Resin is a durable biocompatible material for dentistry, has been identified as a strong and durable enough biocompatible material, and the team intends to use it in future iterations.
Using the free online design tools provided byTinkercad和搅拌机to create and modify the 3D file for the project, the team were able to produce the instruments with no formal training, and without incurring the associated training costs. These programs prepared the 3D model for printing, ensuring that the scaling, resolution, and orientation of the model were correct, and added supports during the printing process where necessary.
该计划的下一步是尝试使用该技术专利并获得FDA批准，以使用不锈钢和放射线聚合物生产仪器。该团队最终旨在复制不同的结果study, in which a spine localizer was 3D printed and assembled at a medical facility, by either establishing an online repository or creating locally stored files to produce other medical devices on demand.
研究小组承认，该策略存在挑战，包括生产时间，3D打印机的可移植性，生产仪器规模的限制以及使用打印机所需的培训。雷电竞app下载但是，他们仍然有信心该技术可用于在数小时内补充供应，甚至可以在需要时创建新颖的产品，例如假肢。
The findings of the project are detailed in a paper titled “An Example of 3-D Printing for Expeditionary Medicine: The Air Force Retractor,” which was published in theMilitary Medicine杂志。它由James A Chambers，Kenneth P Seastedt和Jocelyn Raymundo-Grinstead合着。
The US Air Force and 3D printing
美国空军一直投资于增材制造技术的实验新应用，作为雷电竞充值reducing the cost and lead timesof equipment.
例如，去年2月，美国空军授予Sciperio, a Florida-based research group, Phase II资金开发3 d印刷相控阵天线s。这笔资金用于开发Sciperio的工厂工厂（FIT），以便为美国空军无人机和飞机制造定制的天线。该系统是一台多工具头制造机，用于在定制表面上制造微型分阶段天线。然后将它们安装到无人机或飞机上，作为其结构的一部分，而不是作为单独的系统，从而最小化支出。
America Makes俄亥俄州是加速器公司也工作ed with the UAF last year to produce 3D printed low-cost replacement parts for legacy aircraft. As part of the three-phased低成本维持的高级制造业的成熟(MAMLS) project, the Department of Defencegranted America Makes over $9 million资金以监督其完成。
The UAF also plans to take part in anupcoming Advanced Manufacturing Olympic Eventlater this year, competing in design challenges with additive manufacturing companies, defense contractors, tech startups, and universities. The Air Force aims to use the event to test the capabilities of its 3D printed components, and expand the manufacturing sources of its supply chain. The event has been delayed from July 7th 2020, and is now scheduled to take place on November 16th 2020.
You can now nominate for the2020 3D印刷行业奖。Cast your vote to help decide this year’s winners.
To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, don’t forget to subscribe to the3D Printing Industry newsletteror follow us onTwitteror liking our page onFacebook。
在增材制造业寻找工作？雷电竞充值访问3D Printing Jobsfor a selection of roles in the industry.
Featured image shows Capt. Erin Hager analysing the porosity of a 3D printed part. Photo via Air Force Institute of Technology.
