Present and future for technologies to develop patient-specific medical devices: a systematic review approach

Abstract

Clara-Isabel López Gualdrón,1 Edna-Rocío Bravo Ibarra,2 Andrea-Patricia Murillo Bohórquez,2 Israel Garnica Bohórquez21Industrial Design School, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia; 2Industrial and Business Studies School, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, ColombiaAbstract: The main purpose of this investigation was to systematically review the literature regarding case studies on patient-specific implants and devices, with the goal of analyzing the process of developing custom-made medical devices. A content analysis was performed to identify design processes and methodologies implemented to develop devices such as implants adapted to bone geometries. Reverse engineering, computer-aided design, simulation of assets, and rapid prototyping technologies were selected according to their interoperability in a process framework for developing new products. Finally, results from the case studies and process stages identified in the consulted research were analyzed. These results showed a relationship between the scope and complexity of the process and the stage of technology integration of the patient-specific device development. The analyzed case studies were characterized by technical, scientific, and multidisciplinary components to achieve research goals. Likewise, integration of technologies using patient-specific technologies is needed for product development that converges into designing devices, such as implants, biomodels, and cutting drilling guides.Keywords: customized implants, virtual planning, integration of CAx technologies, technologies for patient-specific medical devices

Keywords

• Customized implants
• virtual planning
• integration of CAx technologies
• technologies for patient-specific medical devices