u/PectusSurgeon

Previous post for some context:

https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/s/iJMOrgx3d0

I've been working on an infant surgery simulator for a while now, and a few of the tissue models are complex with lots of overhangs. I've succeeded making 3-part molds using a PLA base and TPU shell but silicone finds a way to humble me every time, usually by leaking from somewhere I didn't expect.

Just for fun I printed a model for a silicone tube out of PVA, which worked really well. Now I'm convinced I can make it work for these anatomy models. Some details about the video:

Muscle shell base is PEBA, since I can poke holes in it without tearing the whole model. Usually can patch it with a 3D pen or a blowtorch.

Ran out of Bambu PVA 80% of the way there, and the cheap replacement from Amazon must contain something that inhibits silicone curing. SLA prints have a similar problem, but either way looks like it's Bambu or nothing for this one. Explains why there's holes in the thinner parts and the bottom half is tacky.

For models this size, the 3D pen cant contain the leaks very well. Tried epoxy putty which barely worked, but contributed to the jankiness of the final product. Also had to emergency mix more silicone due to leaks, which is why the coloring is all over the place.

Not exactly a win, but figured I'd share. Any advice is appreciated.

Mostly just to see if it worked, but used the dock to connect via HDMI to ancient DVI output from the video tower. Connected the glasses as usual and video immediately displayed. Won't substitute for a 4k tower/screens but might be more ergonomic solution for certain cases. Not practical at the moment since it's a wired setup and the dock doesn't exactly fit in my pocket.

Closest things I can find was a taut-line hitch (which twists the working end around the standing end in the opposite direction). Main advantages are that it can be retracted if it catches on anything on its way to the destination and holds fairly well before it is locked. Use it for closing hernias and other structures at unconventional angles, since it beats trying to tie knots on the ceiling with laparoscopic instruments. I didn't create this or anything, but it's been 20 years since I learned it and I have no idea where I picked it up.

Used the Bambu Labs app to generate the model from a photo and sent it over to the Satellite slicer. Resin is Elegoo ABS-like 3.0 white at settings recommended from the profile. Coming from a Saturn 4 Ultra I like this a lot. Was ready to hate the whole heater/recycling but it's been good so far besides being kind of loud while dispensing or sucking the resin back up. Wife is not a huge fan, but can't please everybody. Also it's the size of a mini-fridge and you need a stupid amount of space to open the doors. Auto-supports came off easily before curing. Cool printer so far.

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Also the software sucks compared to Bambu Studio, but eventually was able to figure out remote upload and monitoring. Chitbubox wasn't that much better so not much of an upgrade from that standpoint.

Recently gave a talk in Vienna about the workflow for making custom surgical simulators using CT or MRI data. Thought I'd share here in case anyone has an interest in replicating this for a different operation. I plan to host these files for free at some point as soon as I figure out the best place for them. Ideally would end up with a platform for sharing these so that others can improve upon them.

Not sure if this is the correct place for this but thought I'd share. Using the 16 inch Acer Spatial Labs Pro display and software is called MedicalHolodeck. I use it occasionally to prep for surgeries with difficult anatomy since it's often easier than scrolling through the normal scan.

Might be hard to tell if you aren't used to these but it shows a cystic bile duct draining the liver with a long banana-shaped gallbladder attached to it. As you can see it gets confusing so the 3D aspect helps a lot.