Page 182 - IJB-9-4

International Journal of Bioprinting

RESEARCH ARTICLE
Feasibility of 3D-printed middle ear prostheses in

partial ossicular chain reconstruction

Anssi-Kalle Heikkinen , Sini Lähde , Valtteri Rissanen , Mika Salmi ,
2
1
1†
1†
Antti A. Aarnisalo , Antti Mäkitie , Ville Sivonen , Saku T. Sinkkonen *
1
1
1
1
1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Tauno Palva Laboratory, Head
and Neck Center, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
Abstract
Despite advances in prosthesis materials, operating microscopes and surgical
techniques during the last 50 years, long-lasting hearing improvement remains
a challenge in ossicular chain reconstruction. Failures in the reconstruction are
mainly due to inadequate length or shape of the prosthesis, or defects in the
surgical procedure. 3D-printed middle ear prosthesis might offer a solution to
individualize treatment and obtain better results. The aim of the study was to study
the possibilities and limitations of 3D-printed middle ear prostheses. Design of
† These authors contributed equally the 3D-printed prosthesis was inspired by a commercial titanium partial ossicular
to this work. replacement prosthesis. 3D models of different lengths (1.5–3.0 mm) were
created with Solidworks 2019–2021 software. The prostheses were 3D-printed
*Corresponding author:
Saku T. Sinkkonen with vat photopolymerization using liquid photopolymer Clear V4. Accuracy
(saku.sinkkonen@hus.fi) and reproducibility of 3D printing were evaluated with micro-CT imaging. The
Citation: Heikkinen A-K, Lähde S, acoustical performance of the prostheses was determined in cadaver temporal
Rissanen V, et al., 2023, bones with laser Doppler vibrometry. In this paper, we present an outline of
Feasibility of 3D-printed middle ear individualized middle ear prosthesis manufacturing. 3D printing accuracy was
prostheses in partial ossicular chain
reconstruction. Int J Bioprint, excellent when comparing dimensions of the 3D-printed prostheses and their 3D
9(4): 727. models. Reproducibility of 3D printing was good if the diameter of the prosthesis
https://doi.org/10.18063/ijb.727 shaft was 0.6 mm. 3D-printed partial ossicular replacement prostheses were
Received: December 15, 2022 easy to manipulate during surgery even though they were a bit stiffer and less
Accepted: January 17, 2023 flexible than conventional titanium prostheses. Their acoustical performance was
Published Online: April 4, 2023
similar to that of a commercial titanium partial ossicular replacement prosthesis.
Copyright: © 2023 Author(s). It is possible to 3D print functional individualized middle ear prostheses made of
This is an Open Access article liquid photopolymer with good accuracy and reproducibility. These prostheses are
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution currently suitable for otosurgical training. Further research is needed to explore
License, permitting distribution their usability in a clinical setting. In the future, 3D printing of individualized
and reproduction in any medium, middle ear prostheses may provide better audiological outcomes for patients.
provided the original work is
properly cited.
Publisher’s Note: Whioce Keywords: 3D printing; Ossicular chain reconstruction; Partial ossicular replacement
Publishing remains neutral with prosthesis; Total ossicular replacement prosthesis; Middle ear transfer function;
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional Laser Doppler vibrometry
affiliations.

Volume 9 Issue 4 (2023) 174 https://doi.org/10.18063/ijb.727