Innovation through design: 3D printing and desktop injection molding system for biomedical applications

硅胶注射成型是McLean博士和Labrosse博士的NSERC发现资助计划的基本需求，但到目前为止，这种能力一直遥不可及。到目前为止，机器一直很大，而且非常昂贵，由于它们被调整到特定的应用，所以通用性有限。事实上，对于学术研究人员来说，注塑系统作为基础设施投资的价值有限。然而，就在今年，加拿大公司Structur3D推出了第一个与有机硅兼容的桌面注塑系统。APSX-PIM很快也将推出第二个桌面系统。这些新兴技术对于支持设备的开发至关重要，以满足McLean博士、Labrosse博士和其他人的迫切研究需求。*McLean博士的NSERC DG计划正积极致力于用于商业化的设备设计。她目前需要塑料(ABS/解放军)和医用硅胶零件的快速成型能力，而她的实验室或更广泛的校园里提供的工具无法满足这些需求。通过他的NSERC DG计划，Labrosse博士正在开发、测试和验证新的工具，以帮助心脏外科医生规划主动脉瓣修复程序。他迫切需要生成主动脉瓣模型，这些模型将用作外科培训的替代品，以及验证和验证用于计划主动脉瓣修复的先进计算机模拟工具。Structur3D系统是这些应用的理想之选，因为可以使用多次设计迭代和材料属性轻松地改进模型。这种灵活性还将有助于与需要使用双重挤出的3D打印功能或使用注塑成型的原型设备的多个已识别用户共享。这是一项理想的基础设施投资。*拟议的Structur3D系统包括UltiMaker S5双挤出3D打印机、超声波浴缸和真空罩，以及Discov3ry自动双挤出注塑系统。这个系统真的是最先进的。这款刚刚于2019年10月推出的产品将允许研究人员生成自己的模具，并混合自己的材料，以根据自己的应用定制性能。在麦克莱恩博士的研究中，该系统允许她使用医用级硅胶(即Nusil)，这是她的设备的基本材料。*McLean博士和Labrosse博士都有出色的指导记录，并努力通过反映公平、多样性和包容性原则的流程来招聘和支持他们的HQP。所要求的现场培训将确保受训人员迅速掌握快速成型技术。这将在当地产生一批高素质的人员，他们可以培训和指导新用户。HQP将学习在真实环境中迭代设备设计、原型和测试的先进方法，这些技能可高度转移到快速发展的生物医学设备设计和优化领域。

Silicone injection molding is an essential need in the NSERC Discovery Grant Programs of Drs. McLean and Labrosse, yet up until now, such capacity has been out of reach. To date, machines have been large and very costly, with limited versatility as they are tuned to specific applications. Indeed injection molding systems have had limited value as an infrastructure investment for academic researchers. Just this year however, the first desktop injection molding system compatible with silicone was launched by Structur3D, a Canadian company. A second desktop system is also soon to be available by APSX-PIM. Such emerging technology is essential to support the development of devices to meet urgent research needs of Drs. McLean, Labrosse and others.***Dr. McLean's NSERC DG program is actively focusing on device design for commercialization. She currently requires capacity for rapid prototyping of device parts in plastic (ABS/PLA) and in medical grade silicone needs that she cannot meet with tools available in her lab or more generally on campus. Through his NSERC DG program, Dr. Labrosse is developing, testing and validating new tools to help cardiac surgeons with the planning of repair procedures on the aortic valves. He urgently needs to generate aortic valve models that will be used both as surrogates for surgical training, as well as to verify and validate advanced computer simulation tools for the planning of aortic valve repair. The Structur3D system is ideal for these applications as models can easily be refined using several design iterations and material properties. This flexibility will also facilitate sharing with several identified users who require access to 3D print capability using dual extrusion or to prototype devices using injection molding. This is an ideal infrastructure investment. ***The proposed Structur3D system includes an Ultimaker S5 dual extrusion 3D printer, ultrasonic bath and vacuum hood coupled with the Discov3ry automated, dual extrusion injection molding system. This system is truly state-of-the art. The product, just launched in October 2019, will allow researchers to generate their own molds and mix their own materials to customize properties to their applications. In the case of Dr. McLean's work, the system allows her to use medical grade silicone (i.e., Nusil), an essential material for her devices. ***Both Drs. McLean and Labrosse have excellent mentoring records and strive to recruit and support their HQP through processes that reflect the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion. The requested on-site training will ensure that trainees quickly become competent at rapid prototyping. This will generate a local pool of highly qualified personnel who can train and mentor new users. HQP will learn advanced approaches to iterative device design, prototyping and testing in a real-world environment skills that are highly transferable to the rapidly evolving area of biomedical device design and optimization.*****