AMFaces: Advanced Additive Manufacturing of User-Focused Facial Prostheses with Real-Life Colour Appearance

AMFaces：以用户为中心的面部假体的先进增材制造，具有真实的色彩外观

基本信息

批准号：
EP/W033968/1
负责人：
David Foster
金额：
$ 706万
依托单位：
University of Manchester
依托单位国家：
英国
项目类别：
Research Grant
财政年份：
2023
资助国家：
英国
起止时间：
2023 至无数据
项目状态：
未结题

来源：
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FW033968%2F1
关键词：
AMFaces Advanced Additive Manufacturing User

项目摘要

Facial prostheses are needed when patients are treated for certain cancers or accidental injuries affecting, for example, the nose, lips, eyes, ears, or skin. The quality of prostheses is naturally very important for patients, both protecting the affected area and giving them confidence, self-esteem, and an improved quality of life. The demand for facial prostheses is growing rapidly, with increases in cancer rates, an ageing population, and rising patient expectations. Within the UK, there are currently over half a million people with facial disfigurement, and each year about 2,500 new patients need facial prostheses. Compounding the problem, prostheses need to be renewed every 12-18 months as they degrade and discolour.At present the production of facial prostheses is technically demanding and lengthy, with the end-product depending on the skill of only a few highly experienced maxillofacial prosthetists. Their number is likely to diminish further with 20% of the workforce due to retire over the next 5 years. A new approach is needed urgently to deliver consistent high-quality prostheses to patients in a timely and cost-effective manner. There are, though, significant challenges. To date, no modern manufacturing method has managed to control medical grade silicone to reproduce facial skin tissue with the necessary softness, colour, surface texture, and flexibility, all in high fidelity. In fact, there is no good computer model for 3D facial skin appearance, even with the latest digital imaging techniques. To meet these challenges, we have brought together a multidisciplinary team of experts and early career researchers (ECRs) from five universities whose expertise is essential for a successful outcome: clinicians in maxillofacial and oral surgery, scientists and engineers in 3D printing (additive manufacture or AM), reconstructive science, biomaterials, colour science, and imaging. The multidisciplinary nature of this project will allow ECRs to gain broader knowledge, skills, and leadership training in different research areas, mentored by researchers at the forefront of their fields.Our work entails several innovations: - introducing 3D hyperspectral imaging and computer modelling of facial skin colour, texture, 3D shape, and translucency for all ethnicities - developing hybrid AM systems for manufacturing medical silicone parts with micron-level modelling of skin surface colour and texture - transforming physical modelling data to digital pipeline AM printer control - formulating new medical silicones and colorants with improved longevity - maintaining throughout a patient-centred approach, with patient feedback incorporated at every stage of the manufacturing process. The tight integration of these advances is central to achieving our goal, enabling the prompt delivery of bespoke ultra-realistic facial prostheses on demand. The results of the research will be delivered mainly through two NHS Foundation Trusts (Manchester University and Guy's and St Thomas', London) and will support regional NHS networks for prosthetic services and charities. We will work with local SMEs to facilitate sustainable research development and further investment. We will share our technological innovations with the clinical, scientific, and engineering communities, especially with developing countries with limited resources.

当患者接受某些癌症或意外伤害的治疗时，需要面部假肢，例如鼻子，嘴唇，眼睛，耳朵或皮肤。假体的质量自然对于患者来说非常重要，既可以保护受影响的地区，又使他们自信，自尊和改善的生活质量。对面部假体的需求正在迅速增长，随着癌症率，人口老龄化以及患者预期的增加，对面部假体的需求正在迅速增长。在英国，目前有超过50万人面部毁容的人，每年约有2500名新患者需要面部假体。使问题更加复杂，假肢在降解和变色时需要每12-18个月更新一次。在介绍面部假体的生产在技术上是苛刻和冗长的，最终产品取决于只有少数经验丰富的上颌面前提的技能。由于未来5年退休，他们的人数可能会进一步减少，占劳动力的20％。迫切需要采用一种新的方法来及时且具有成本效益的方式为患者提供一致的高质量假体。但是，存在重大挑战。迄今为止，还没有现代制造方法能够控制医学级硅酮，以繁殖面部皮肤组织，具有必要的柔软度，颜色，表面质地和柔韧性，所有这些都具有高保真度。实际上，即使采用最新的数字成像技术，也没有用于3D面部皮肤外观的良好计算机模型。为了应对这些挑战，我们将来自五所大学的专业知识的专家和早期职业研究人员组成的多学科团队组成了，他们的专业知识对于成功的成果至关重要：上颌面和口腔外科的临床医生，3D印刷（添加剂制造或AM）的科学家和工程师，重建性科学，生物生物生物材料，颜色科学，Imaging，Imaging和Imaging。该项目的多学科性质将使ECR能够在不同研究领域的不同研究领域获得更广泛的知识，技能和领导力培训，在其领域的最前沿的研究人员指导。我们的工作需要进行几项创新： - - 3D高光谱成像以及对所有型号的面部肤色，质地和半透明的型号的面部肤色，融合型融合的型号的面部肤色和计算机建模 - 表面颜色和纹理 - 将物理建模数据转换为数字管道AM AM AM打印机控制 - 制定具有改善寿命的新医疗硅和着色剂 - 在以患者为中心的方法中维护，并在制造过程的每个阶段都纳入了患者反馈。这些进步的紧密整合对于实现我们的目标至关重要，可以按需迅速提供定制的超现实面膜。这项研究的结果将主要通过两个NHS基金会信托（曼彻斯特大学以及伦敦的盖伊和圣托马斯）提供，并将支持用于假体服务和慈善机构的区域NHS网络。我们将与当地中小企业合作，促进可持续的研究发展和进一步的投资。我们将与临床，科学和工程社区分享我们的技术创新，尤其是在资源有限的发展中国家。