3D PRINTED FLEXIBLE SPINAL MODEL Team: Sydney Inman, Anne Carper, Bruno Casino Remondo | Mentors: Goutham Burla, Colin Marchus, Dr. Russell Qualls, Dr. Dev Shrestha Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
OBJECTIVE Drug injections in the lumbar area of the spine must be better understood to improve the future of medicine. To do so, a study on the cerebrospinal fluid flow via a 3D printed flexible spinal model was completed. This study will assist healthcare workers in understanding and developing safer drug delivery techniques for future procedures and applications.
BACKGROUND
FINAL DESIGN Spinal Model • Split the two 3D files from Dr. Bryn Martin’s lab into 1/4 to fit in FormLabs Form 3 3D printer • Added hexagon connectors to the split files to easily glue the pieces together
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) • Generated in ventricles of the brain & flows throughout the spine • Delivers essential nutrients • Bypasses the blood brain barrier Drug Delivery • Delivery through CSF would lower drug dosage and toxicity • Many diseases benefit
EXPERIMENT RESULTS
Fig 6: Comparison of rigid model to previously published data
Fig 1: CSF production in brain
Fig 2: Spine structure
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Fig 3: Printed 3D flexible pieces
Fig 4: UV cure of model
• 3D files, setup, and equipment inherited from Dr. Bryn Martin’s lab • MRI-derived design for prior rigid models was printed through Stratasys
Fig 7: Comparison of 3 experiments conducted on rigid model
• Goal to replace & test rigid model with flexible model similar to real human spine
FUTURE DIRECTIONS
• Flange was designed to connect to upper tubes in setup
REQUIREMENTS & VALIDATION Adopted previous model configuration & protocol
Utilized previous 3D files & setup
Model flexibility and elasticity 50A resin with 1.59 MPa max stress of human spine Compared to previous Transparent for imaging models Can withstand necessary Setup and experiments pressures
Fig 5: Experiment setup with rigid model connected
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We thank our mentors, along with Charles Cornwall, Dave MacPherson, and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering for all the support with the project. Syringe supplies were donated by Nimiipuu Health Clinic.
Conclusion • Experiment results line up with previous data, validating setup • 3D printing a transparent spinal model with a flexible material is possible Future Directions • Complete additional experiments on flexible model • Flange reprint • Print the brain with flexible material to have full model to compare to rigid 2023 Capstone Project