Revolution in medicine with White Jet Process 3D Printing

Introduction

In the medical field, the interpretation of images from computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans is essential for visualizing organs, tissues, and internal anomalies. These scans are crucial tools for diagnosing a variety of clinical conditions, but converting these two-dimensional images into a clear three-dimensional understanding is not always easy.

Physicians and surgeons face significant challenges when trying to translate the layers of images into an accurate view of a patient’s anatomy. The limitations of these images can make it difficult to plan procedures, prolong surgical time, and compromise diagnostic accuracy.

With the advancement of medical technologies, new solutions have emerged to help healthcare professionals overcome these challenges. Among them, color 3D printing, particularly through the White Jet Process (WJP), is emerging as a revolutionary innovation. WJP technology is an advanced 3D printing technique that converts digital images into detailed and realistic three-dimensional physical models.

These models allow doctors and surgeons to manipulate exact replicas of organs and anatomical structures, improving spatial understanding and diagnostic accuracy. Unlike other 3D printing techniques, White Jet Process technology uses specific materials that reproduce textures and colors with great precision.

This allows tissues, blood vessels and organs to be clearly distinguished, facilitating the interpretation of anomalies and pathologies. Thus, this technology not only transforms the field of medical image visualization, but also offers a new level of detail that can be crucial for more accurate and effective diagnoses.

Problems in the evaluation and analysis of medical images

The evaluation and analysis of medical images, such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are crucial processes for the diagnosis and treatment of various clinical conditions. However, this field is susceptible to several threats that can compromise the accuracy and effectiveness of the results.

The subjectivity inherent in the interpretation of images, their quality, and the complexity of anatomical structures represent constant challenges for healthcare professionals. In addition, the workload of physicians, combined with the large volume of data generated by modern examinations, increases the risk of diagnostic errors and omissions.

These problems can be compounded by other factors, such as poor calibration of imaging equipment, patient movements that distort views, and difficulty in distinguishing between pathologies with similar characteristics.

In addition, the complexity of anatomical structures can lead to subjective interpretations, since the physician needs to reconstruct the anatomy in 3D from multiple image slices.

This limitation can compromise diagnostic accuracy, increase the time required for surgical planning, and in some cases, lead to errors or inaccuracies in treatment. Faced with these difficulties, innovative solutions such as 3D printing of medical models are emerging to reduce problems and facilitate the analysis and conclusion of medical diagnoses.

Through 3D printing techniques such as the White Jet Process, a physician can have a model in his hands and evaluate the anatomy of any organ of a patient.

White Jet Process 3D Printing Technology

White Jet Process (WJP) technology is an advanced 3D printing innovation that uses white ink filling, combining sophisticated digital imaging and material deposition techniques to achieve multi-material, voxel-level color printing.

Using high-resolution digital imaging systems, it accurately captures the intricate details of the object to be printed, while simultaneously depositing precise layers of white ink materials, resulting in a highly detailed and realistic 3D representation.

WJP’s ability to create multi-material, voxel-level color printing provides unprecedented control over the appearance and functionality of the final product.

This precision allows designers and engineers to develop highly customized and optimized solutions for a variety of applications, ranging from medical devices and prosthetics to educational tools and industrial components.

Below are some parts developed with this technology.

The fundamental principle of WJP (White Jet Process) 3D printing technology is similar to that of inkjet printing. After each thin layer of photosensitive resin is deposited, it is irradiated with ultraviolet rays of a specific range to rapidly polymerize the newly applied material on the molding platform.

This curing process occurs immediately, and after each layer, the molding plate is precisely adjusted to reduce the distance in one layer thickness, allowing the nozzle to continue printing until the complete part is formed.

In color printing, color management software digitally adjusts hues, allowing multiple base color materials to be sprayed from different nozzles.

These materials can be mixed at the same point in space to create new colors and properties, generating smooth color and hardness transitions. In terms of high precision, innovative technologies such as variable ink droplet and ink droplet compensation have been implemented.

The print control software incorporates materials such as white, clear and support ink, achieving high standards of thickness, accuracy and flatness in color printing. Printing accuracy can reach 30μm in economy mode, 21μm in mapping mode, with a resolution of 600 x 600x 1200 dpi.

To ensure efficiency, WJP technology uses a sweep injection molding method with wide-area nozzles, high-speed rasterization and a precise design of 3840 piezoelectric nozzles. This allows for faster and more accurate printing without the need for secondary curing.

White Jet Process technology applied in medicine

Using WJP’s full-color multi-material medical 3D printing technology, hospitals and healthcare institutions can produce full-scale (1:1) 3D physical models, creating personalized replicas for each patient as needed.

These models offer several advantages, such as spatial visualization, tactile sensation and physical representation, helping surgeons improve preoperative planning and significantly reducing the risks associated with surgical procedures.

Below we have the 3D printing of two human organs: the kidney and the liver.

As you can see, each organ structure is clearly defined and represented by different colors. This 3D printing technology offers a number of benefits to specialists during the pathology analysis and preoperative process.

Beneficial Impacts of WJP 3D Printing on Pathology Analysis and Conclusions

WJP 3D printing technology has brought great advances to medicine, especially in the analysis and diagnosis of pathologies.

By offering detailed, full-color physical models, this technology allows healthcare professionals to obtain a more accurate, three-dimensional understanding of patients' conditions, facilitating everything from surgical planning to communication with patients themselves.

Below, we will discuss how WJP 3D printing impacts and why you should use it to visualize complex structures, differentiate pathologies, and reduce subjectivity in analyses in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

• Improved visualization of complex structures

3D printing enables the creation of detailed physical models of organs and anatomical structures, making it easier to visualize complex or overlapping areas that can be difficult to discern in two-dimensional images.

Why use it? Instead of relying on layered images (such as CT scans), the physician can examine a tangible three-dimensional model, easily rotating and inspecting it from different angles and depths. This improves spatial understanding of lesions, tumors or anatomical malformations

• Clear differentiation of pathologies

With color 3D printing, different tissues, organs or pathologies can be highlighted by distinct colors, making it easier to visually distinguish between normal and abnormal structures. Tumors, blood vessels and other components can be printed in different colors, allowing for quick understanding of areas of interest.

Why use it? It makes it easier to differentiate between pathological conditions that may appear similar in a two-dimensional image, helping the physician to identify areas of concern more accurately.

• Reduced subjectivity in interpretation

3D printing transforms digital images into objective physical models, reducing the risk of subjective or inconsistent interpretations between different physicians. Analyzing physical models is more straightforward and can facilitate communication between medical teams.

Why use it? It eliminates the need to interpret only two-dimensional images and helps reduce variation between interpretations by different physicians.

• Precise pre-surgical planning

In cases of complex surgeries, 3D printing of specific organs or body parts allows surgeons to simulate procedures before the actual operation. They can test different surgical approaches, identify potential complications and optimize the surgical plan.

Why use it? Pre-operative planning with a 3D model can reduce surgery time, increase accuracy and reduce risks, as the doctor has an accurate physical view of the structures involved.

• Improved patient communication

A 3D physical model can be a powerful tool for explaining the diagnosis, surgical procedure or proposed treatment to the patient. This can increase patient understanding and reduce anxiety.

Why use it? Tangible visualization helps patients better understand their condition and proposed treatment, improving doctor-patient communication.

• Medical Education and Training

Colorful 3D models of organs, pathologies or anomalies can be used to teach medical students and healthcare professionals. They offer a realistic and practical way of learning, replacing 2D images and providing a more engaging learning experience.

Why use them? By having 3D printed models, doctors in training can manipulate exact replicas of organs or problem areas, making it easier to understand and learn about anatomy and pathology in a hands-on way.

• Faster recognition of small and hidden lesions

3D printing, especially when integrated with advanced segmentation software, allows small lesions or tumors to be isolated, increasing visibility and making it easier to identify areas that may be difficult to see in a 2D image.

Why use it? With the help of printed models, small tumors or malformations can be identified more clearly, helping the doctor to better visualize the details.

• Personalized design of devices and prosthetics

3D printing enables the customization of prosthetics and medical devices that are directly adapted to the patient’s specific anatomy, which improves clinical outcomes.

Why use it? Accurate anatomical models help in the design and manufacture of personalized prosthetics or implants, improving patient adaptation and recovery.

• Facilitates communication between multidisciplinary teams

In situations where multiple specialties are involved, 3D printing can facilitate communication between members of the medical team. A physical model can be shared between surgeons, radiologists and oncologists to discuss the best treatment plan.

Why use it? It improves collaboration and common understanding between different specialties, leading to faster and more informed decisions.

• Reduces interpretation time

With the physical 3D visualization of a pathology or structure, the time required to interpret complex images can be reduced. Physicians can review the printed model instead of spending time reviewing multiple 2D images.

Why use it? It reduces workload and speeds up the diagnostic process, allowing physicians to handle larger patient volumes more efficiently.

The White Jet Process technology has proven to be a revolutionary tool in medicine, providing significant benefits in the diagnosis, planning and treatment of pathologies.

Conclusions and Acknowledgments

By improving the visualization of complex anatomical structures, facilitating the differentiation of pathologies and optimizing surgical planning, this technology not only reduces risks and interpretation time, but also raises the level of precision and efficiency in medical practice.

In addition, its ability to improve communication between physicians, multidisciplinary teams and patients makes the treatment process more transparent and collaborative.

With all these benefits, 3D printing continues to positively transform modern medicine, raising the standards of care and clinical outcomes.

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