Comparisons of 3D printed materials for biomedical imaging applications

Mitchell A Gabalski; Kylie R Smith; Jeremy Hix; Kurt R Zinn

doi:10.1080/14686996.2023.2273803

Comparisons of 3D printed materials for biomedical imaging applications

Sci Technol Adv Mater. 2023 Nov 14;24(1):2273803. doi: 10.1080/14686996.2023.2273803. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Mitchell A Gabalski^{1

2}, Kylie R Smith^{1

2}, Jeremy Hix^{2

3

4}, Kurt R Zinn^{1

2

3

5}

Affiliations

¹ Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
² Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
³ Radiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
⁴ Advanced Molecular Imaging Facility, Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
⁵ Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.

Abstract

In biomedical imaging, it is desirable that custom-made accessories for restraint, anesthesia, and monitoring can be easily cleaned and not interfere with the imaging quality or analyses. With the rise of 3D printing as a form of rapid prototyping or manufacturing for imaging tools and accessories, it is important to understand which printable materials are durable and not likely to interfere with imaging applications. Here, 15 3D printable materials were evaluated for radiodensity, optical properties, simulated wear, and capacity for repeated cleaning and disinfection. Materials that were durable, easily cleaned, and not expected to interfere with CT, PET, or optical imaging applications were identified.

Keywords: 3D printing; Biomedical imaging; material science; polymer characterization; prototyping.

Plain language summary

A guide for selecting 3D printed materials for custom research tools through characterization of their merits and limitations in biomedical imaging.

Grants and funding

The work was supported by the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization AgBio Program.