I-Corps: Translation potential of stereolithography 3D printing to create soft elastomers

这个I-Corps项目的广泛影响集中在可用于解剖模型的软3D打印材料的开发上，其目标是减少与医疗和外科教育相关的培训时间和成本。该项目旨在通过在广泛的医疗培训场景中实现高实践率，提高医疗保健培训方法的效率。可利用的培训工具有助于解决护士和医生短缺问题，降低医疗成本，并通过减少医疗并发症挽救生命。这个I-Corps项目利用体验式学习和对行业生态系统的第一手调查来评估该技术的翻译潜力。该解决方案基于橡胶树脂，可用于高分辨率，但易于使用和现成的3D打印机。虽然大多数商业上可用的3D打印树脂展示了硬塑料的机械性能，但这项专有技术允许创建比市场上常见材料更柔软的部件。新树脂的引入将使具有复杂几何形状的高分辨率橡胶部件的快速原型制作成为可能，这将是使用传统制造方法无法生产的。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact of this I-Corps project is focused on the development of soft 3D printing materials that can be used in anatomical models, with the goal of reducing the training times and costs associated with medical and surgical education. The project aims to improve the efficiency of healthcare training methods by enabling high rates of hands-on practice across a broad range of medical training scenarios. Accessible training tools can help address the shortage of nurses and doctors, reduce healthcare costs, and save lives through the reduction of medical complications.This I-Corps project utilizes experiential learning coupled with a first-hand investigation of the industry ecosystem to assess the translation potential of the technology. This solution is based on a rubber resin that can be used in high-resolution, yet accessible and off-the-shelf 3D printers. While the majority of commercially available 3D printable resins demonstrate the mechanical properties of hard plastics, this proprietary technology allows the creation of parts that are softer than common materials on the market. The introduction of the new resin will enable the rapid prototyping of high-resolution rubber components with complex geometries that would be prohibitive to produce using conventional manufacturing methods.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.