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Using Three-Dimensional Printing to Fabricate a Tubing Connector for Dilation and Evacuation
Michael L Stitely1, Helen Paterson
1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Section of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Otago, Dunedin School of Medicine, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
|March 5, 2016
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) printing can solve surgical instrumentation challenges. A 3D-printed tubing connector successfully addressed a need in gynecologic procedures, demonstrating the technology's practical application in surgery.
Area of Science:
- Medical device fabrication
- Surgical instrumentation
- Additive manufacturing
Background:
- Surgical procedures sometimes require specialized instrumentation not readily available.
- A specific need for a tubing connector for suction in dilation and evacuation procedures was identified.
- Commercial suppliers in New Zealand did not offer a suitable product.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the feasibility of using 3D printing to create surgical devices.
- To address a specific instrumentation gap in gynecologic surgery.
- To fabricate a custom tubing connector for surgical suction.
Main Methods:
- A cylindrical tubing connector was designed using 3D printing software.
- The device was fabricated using a Makerbot Replicator 2X 3D printer.
- The 3D-printed connector was utilized in 15 second-trimester dilation and evacuation procedures.
Main Results:
- The 3D-printed tubing connector performed as intended in all 15 surgical cases.
- The device successfully connected two segments of suction tubing without issue.
Conclusions:
- Commercially available 3D printing technology offers a viable solution for surgical instrumentation problems.
- This approach can overcome limitations in the availability of specialized surgical tools.
- 3D printing provides a practical method for fabricating custom devices for gynecologic procedures.