The research group “medical prototyping” is developing a system for holographic three-dimensional facial topometry. A patient portrait hologram is generated using a short-pulsed laser and subsequently medical prototyping digitized.

medical prototyping article

A so-called texture is retrieved from topometric with high resolution visualizing even skin pores and small hairs. The colored texture imposed on the model produces an extremely lifelike image. These images provide new options in oral or maxillofacial surgical planning and documentation to achieve optimal functional as well as aesthetic results. It is a laser system which will serve as a high-precision bone cutting instrument for surgeons in future, for example in neuro, cardio, oral and maxillo-facial surgery. The CO2 laser system features extremely short pulses combined with a fine air-water spray.

Thus, damage to the surrounding tissue is avoided. The laser system enables non-contact cutting of bone and cartilage at arbitrary geometries for the first time; the photo shows a divided bone of a cow. A mobile prototype of the device has been successfully tested in several series of animal trials. The prototype is intended for further development with clinical and industrial cooperation partners into a medical product for serial manufacture. The group “Holography and Laser Technology” at the medical prototyping research center has developed a special laser technology for processing of sensitive non-metallic substances. It guarantees fast processing leaving no traces of undesirable thermal side effects in the material.

The method is suitable for precise laser cutting, drilling, ablation, structuring and engraving of plastics, including sensitive thermoplastics, fiber materials, e.g. Kevlar or carbon fibers, composites, ceramics, natural materials, cellulose-based materials and soft deformable objects, e.g. brushes. Using this medical prototyping technology, even an ice cube can be engraved.