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Fused deposition models from CT scans

¹ Department of Bio-Medical Physics & Bio-Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD and ² School of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is a new method for rapid prototyping, a technique that produces models of objects from computer files. The most commonly used rapid prototyping technique for medical applications is stereolithography, but FDM has several potential advantages. This paper is concerned with the accuracy of an FDM model of a sheep lumbar vertebra using data from a CT scan. The model and the original vertebra were compared by making measurements with vernier callipers and by laser scanning. Visually, the model reproduced the features of the original object; this conclusion was supported by a comparison of the laser scans. Discrepancies in measurements were comparable with those of models produced using other rapid prototyping techniques, demonstrating that FDM is a viable method for making models for clinical use.