Session: 05-04-01: Biomaterials and Tissue: Modelling, Synthesis, Fabrication and Characterization - I

Paper Number: 94352

94352 - 3D Printing Material Testing and Applications in Biomaterial Modeling for Pediatric Medical Trainers 

In recent years, Additive Manufacturing (AM) has become one of the most widespread and preferred prototyping methods. The most popular additive manufacturing method is Fused Deposition Modeling. FDM’s popularity is primarily attributed to its 3 major strengths of rapid prototyping, variability in material choice, and subject-specific nature. The medical industry is one of the larger industries that has benefited from 3D printing, especially in terms of medical trainers. Unfortunately, most medical trainers that are developed are poor substitutes for the human body. This can be attributed to either a poor design or poor material choice. FDM printing is the obvious solution to these issues, but one of the largest problems in 3D printing for engineers is that the properties of most filaments after extrusion are not well-known. Additionally, 3D prints are rarely 100% solid in FDM, which makes assuming the material properties of the base materials inaccurate. One of the largest gaps in the medical trainer world is in pediatric medical trainers used to analyze and teach students or patients about diseases. This niche is in high demand for subject-specific, realistic, and time-efficient rapid models.

This project aims to perform tensile tests of 3D printed material in accordance with ASTM Standard D638-14, which is the uniform standard used to test 3D printed tensile test samples. It will also test compressive test samples using ASTM D695-15. The samples were tested utilizing an MTS Criterion Model 43 printer, and the samples, testing procedures, and testing will be monitored by an experienced operator. The samples will be printer on numerous printers using the same type of filament from the same manufacturer from different batches.

Initial tensile tests with samples of lower infill percentages line up relatively well with existing literature from companies such as Ultimaker. Note that these samples were printed on a Prusa Mini+ using a brass 0.4mm nozzle. The averaged moduli of elasticity and ultimate stress recorded for both the 15% and 50% infill samples that were printed diagonally (gyroid print profile) are recorded with the modulus of elasticity being 19.09MPa and 21.50MPa respectively. Ultimaker reports in their official TDS for their filament that TPU 95A using different print settings yielded a result for the modulus of elasticity of 26MPa.

This testing is in hopes of adding more to the existing pool of knowledge of 3D printing as it becomes more prevalent in all fields. Additionally, these results will be applied to create a model in an FEA software to help predict when 3D printed models will fail and under what conditions. Finally, an analysis of the stress-strain curves will be tested against known biological materials such as bone, muscle, and tendon tissue. The researchers are particularly interested in the application of materials that mimic the properties of pediatric bone.

Presenting Author: Sheridan Perry Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Presenting Author Biography: Sheridan Perry is an Engineer whose study area is in Bio-Medical Systems. One of his current projects is working to develop a model to train Doctors to diagnose and treat infant hip displacement. <br/><br/>He graduates with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with highest honors in May of 2022 as a member of the college honors program at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He also holds an associate degree in Engineering Fundamentals from Embry. <br/><br/>Sheridan has sought out and secured a partnership with Ultimaker for the Engineering Lab that he manages at Embry Riddle. Mr. Perry is a research assistant at Embry in addition to being a candidate for his master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. His area of research is in bio-medical systems. <br/><br/>Sheridan Perry was selected to showcase his research with legislators at the Florida Undergraduate Research Posters at the Capital. He is a member of the Tau Beta Pi honor society. He is also the Vice-President of the Bio-Medical Engineering Society at Embry.

Authors:

Sheridan Perry Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Victor Huayamave Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Bryan Gonzalez Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Zachary Nadeau Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach
Rafael Rodriguez Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach