We can receive data securely over the internet directly from your PACS system, or on physical media. Please contact us for further details.
PATIENT-SPECIFIC DIGITAL 3D SURGICAL PLANNING SUPPORT
We can help you rehearse, test, and optimise your surgical approach through careful 3D planning in a computer environment; long before the patient arrives in the operating theatre.

Common benefits of 3D pre-planned surgery include:
 
·       reduced risk, especially in complex procedures ^{1, 2};
·       reduced dependence on multiple, expensive physical models which are destroyed after one practice ^{1, 3};
·       creating 3D-printed polymer anatomical models of the outcomes (either by PDR or by your hospital) ³;
·       enabling PDR’s experienced design engineers to realise your designs for custom surgical guides;
·       using those guides to accurately translate digital plans, and reduce operation durations ^1-5; even when compared to expensive robotic ⁶, and navigation-based approaches ⁷.

Usually, we will establish your particular requirements during a web-meeting, and enact your plans on virtual models of the anatomy as you watch and direct.  This might mean defining the precise margins for disease excision, or verifying the availability and shape of a proposed reconstructive bone graft. 

PATIENT-SPECIFIC DEVICES
We will translate your prescription into 3D files of verified designs for patient-specific implants and guides; which are suitable for 3D printing in titanium.  By meticulously defining your design requirements, we can model your designs to be effective and safe.  Devices must always be made by appropriately qualified manufacturers.  We can arrange for verified designs to be manufactured by leading 3D printing experts, Renishaw PLC who are certified to rigorous international medical device quality standards, and who comply fully with medical device regulations. 

Our design expertise and our robust procedures are supported by our own peer-reviewed academic investigations, and by regular review of the current state-of-the-art. 
 
Patient-specific surgical guides can be used to control:
 
·       drilling locations ⁸;
·       drilling angles  ^{9, 10};
·       saw cutting vectors ^11-13;
·       the repositioning of bones ^{1, 3, 14};
·       the stability of residual bones following resection but prior to grafting ¹⁵;
·       and the shape of auto-grafts themselves ^{3, 16}. 
 
Compared to adaptable mass-produced stock implants, 3D printed implants have:
 
·       achieved a more accurate fit with better stability ¹⁷;
·       resulted in better functional outcomes ¹⁸;
·       resulted in better aesthetic outcomes despite extra surgical constraints ^{2, 19};
·       reduced theatre time ^{2, 3, 20};
·       reduced the likelihood of needing surgical revisions ²¹;
·       decreased stress shielding ²²;
·       avoided limb amputations ²³;
·       increased the safety of procedures for theatre staff ²⁴;
·       incorporated tailored mechanical properties ²⁵;
·       resolved the most complex and non-standard defects ^{1, 26};
·       and improved osseointegration, where desired ²⁷. 
 
Additionally, positive secondary effects have been reasonably inferred; such as reduced infection risks and blood loss ²⁸, and accelerated recovery periods ²⁹.  See our portfolio for representative examples of previous maxillofacial device designs.

SURGICAL TRAINING AND SIMULATION MODELS
We can develop surgical training and simulation models that allow you to practice procedures. Our product and industrial design expertise; particularly in mould tool design, 3D printing processes, casting processes, and in working with silicone materials; mean that we can cater to specific pathologies or traumatic scenarios. 

 Benefits of this service:
 
·       Models can tailored to meet your needs in terms of area of anatomy, tissue representation, fidelity of anatomical structures, etc.
·       Use of cadaveric materials could be reduced.
·       Models offer repeatability and consistency, and could therefore be used as part of research studies.
 
See examples of our previous work below. 

Please contact us directly using the details below, to discuss your particular needs.