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Cited by 106Anatomy and Medical TechnologyNeuroscience and Neural EngineeringAdditive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies

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3D printing and modelling of customized implants and surgical guides for non-human primates.

Open access
Chen, Xing, Possel, Jessy K., Wacongne, Catherine, van Ham, Anne F., Klink, P. Christiaan, Roelfsema, Pieter R.·2017·Journal of Neuroscience Methods
DOI 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.05.013PMC PMC5482398
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Primate neurobiologists use chronically implanted devices such as pedestals for head stabilization and chambers to gain access to the brain and study its activity. Such implants are skull-mounted, and made from a hard, durable material, such as titanium. NEW METHOD: Here, we present a low-cost method of creating customized 3D-printed cranial implants that are tailored to the anatomy of individual animals. We performed pre-surgical computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) scans to generate three-dimensional (3D) models of the skull and brain. We then used 3D modelling software to design implantable head posts, chambers, and a pedestal anchorage base, as well as craniotomy guides to aid us during surgery. Prototypes were made from plastic or resin, while implants were 3D-printed in titanium. The implants underwent post-processing and received a coating of osteocompatible material to promote bone integration. RESULTS: Their tailored fit greatly facilitated surgical implantation, and eliminated the gap between the implant and the bone. To date, our implants remain robust and well-integrated with the skull. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S): Commercial-off-the-shelf solutions typically come with a uniform, flat base, preventing them from sitting flush against the curved surface of the skull. This leaves gaps for fluid and tissue ingress, increasing the risk of microbial infection and tissue inflammation, as well as implant loss. CONCLUSIONS: The use of 3D printing technology enabled us to quickly and affordably create unique, complex designs, avoiding the constraints levied by traditional production methods, thereby boosting experimental success and improving the wellbeing of the animals.

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Graphical abstract
Graphical abstract CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 1 A) One-size-fits-all head posts, such as the one pictured here, have legs that can be bent into the desired shape. However, the metal at the middle of the base (indicated by the arrow) is relatively thick, and cannot be bent. B) The CerePort™ device consists of one or more electrode arrays that are implanted in the brain, which connect to a skull-mounted pedestal interface via a wire bundle (top). An electronic interface board connects the pedestal to the data acquisition and/or stimulation equipment during each recording session (bottom). The base of the pedestal is flat, leaving a gap between the base and the skull (indicated by the arrow), or requiring thinning of the bone.
Fig. 1 A) One-size-fits-all head posts, such as the one pictured here, have legs that can be bent into the desired shape. However, the metal at the middle of the base (indicated by the arrow) is relatively thick, and cannot be bent. B) The CerePort™ device consists of one or more electrode arrays that are implanted in the brain, which connect to a skull-mounted pedestal interface via a wire bundle (top). An electronic interface board connects the pedestal to the data acquisition and/or stimulation equipment during each recording session (bottom). The base of the pedestal is flat, leaving a gap between the base and the skull (indicated by the arrow), or requiring thinning of the bone.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 2 After carrying out a CT scan, we used InVesalius software to generate a 3D model of the skull from DICOM files.
Fig. 2 After carrying out a CT scan, we used InVesalius software to generate a 3D model of the skull from DICOM files.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 3 We performed automatic extraction and tissue segmentation of the whole brain from MRI data using FSL software (A), and converted the segmented volumes into surfaces using 3D Slicer (B).
Fig. 3 We performed automatic extraction and tissue segmentation of the whole brain from MRI data using FSL software (A), and converted the segmented volumes into surfaces using 3D Slicer (B).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 4 We performed manual segmentation of the brain (green regions) on MRI data using 3D Slicer software (colours are visible in the online version of the paper).
Fig. 4 We performed manual segmentation of the brain (green regions) on MRI data using 3D Slicer software (colours are visible in the online version of the paper).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 5 We performed an MRA in one animal, and visualized the blood vessels InVesalius software (left). We generated a 3D model of the blood vessels, and aligned it with 3D models of the brain and skull using 3D Slicer.
Fig. 5 We performed an MRA in one animal, and visualized the blood vessels InVesalius software (left). We generated a 3D model of the blood vessels, and aligned it with 3D models of the brain and skull using 3D Slicer.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 6 Different regions of the visual cortex, such as V1 and V2 (purple), V3 and V4 (yellow), and other areas (green) were coarsely segmented and aligned with the skull using 3D Slicer (colours are visible in the online version of the paper). We used anatomical landmarks, such as the occipital ridge (indicated by the arrow), to identify the sites of craniotomies and implants.
Fig. 6 Different regions of the visual cortex, such as V1 and V2 (purple), V3 and V4 (yellow), and other areas (green) were coarsely segmented and aligned with the skull using 3D Slicer (colours are visible in the online version of the paper). We used anatomical landmarks, such as the occipital ridge (indicated by the arrow), to identify the sites of craniotomies and implants.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 7 Head posts with customized bases and legs were modelled using a combination of Inventor and Blender software. The anteriormost parts of the head posts were positioned several milimetres away from the supraorbital ridge (indicated by the arrow).
Fig. 7 Head posts with customized bases and legs were modelled using a combination of Inventor and Blender software. The anteriormost parts of the head posts were positioned several milimetres away from the supraorbital ridge (indicated by the arrow).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 8 For superior colliculus recordings, guiding planes were constructed using 3D Slicer software. A cylinder demarcated the volume that would be accessible to depth electrodes, thereby determining the position of our chamber (pink; colours are visible in the online version of the paper).
Fig. 8 For superior colliculus recordings, guiding planes were constructed using 3D Slicer software. A cylinder demarcated the volume that would be accessible to depth electrodes, thereby determining the position of our chamber (pink; colours are visible in the online version of the paper).CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 9 A virtual craniotomy was made in the skull over the right hemisphere, showing the visual cortex of the brain (yellow; colours are visible in the online version of the paper). A pedestal anchorage base (purple) was created as a support for two CerePort™ pedestals (Blackrock Microsystems, green and orange), and positioned so as to avoid the craniotomy and head post (grey). Note that in this animal, the CT scan of the skull was obtained after the implantation of a (non-customized) head post, hence the skull and head post are fused into one model, and some metal-induced artefacts are visible around the base of the head post.
Fig. 9 A virtual craniotomy was made in the skull over the right hemisphere, showing the visual cortex of the brain (yellow; colours are visible in the online version of the paper). A pedestal anchorage base (purple) was created as a support for two CerePort™ pedestals (Blackrock Microsystems, green and orange), and positioned so as to avoid the craniotomy and head post (grey). Note that in this animal, the CT scan of the skull was obtained after the implantation of a (non-customized) head post, hence the skull and head post are fused into one model, and some metal-induced artefacts are visible around the base of the head post.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 10 Craniotomy guides (red) were designed for use during surgical implantation of chambers (left), and electrode arrays (right), allowing the trepanations to be made at the desired locations on the skull (colours are visible in the online version of the paper). Each craniotomy guide consisted of a grasper that could be attached to the head post (blue), and a cutting guide that marked the boundary of the craniotomy.
Fig. 10 Craniotomy guides (red) were designed for use during surgical implantation of chambers (left), and electrode arrays (right), allowing the trepanations to be made at the desired locations on the skull (colours are visible in the online version of the paper). Each craniotomy guide consisted of a grasper that could be attached to the head post (blue), and a cutting guide that marked the boundary of the craniotomy.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 11 To add internal screw threads to the holes on the upper surface of the pedestal anchorage base, a special clamp was designed, positioning the holes at a 17.5-degree angle.
Fig. 11 To add internal screw threads to the holes on the upper surface of the pedestal anchorage base, a special clamp was designed, positioning the holes at a 17.5-degree angle.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 12 3D-printed objects for primate electrophysiology: a head post (A), a pedestal base (B) and a chamber (C) made from titanium, and a craniotomy guide made from resin (D). The price indicated is the average printing cost.
Fig. 12 3D-printed objects for primate electrophysiology: a head post (A), a pedestal base (B) and a chamber (C) made from titanium, and a craniotomy guide made from resin (D). The price indicated is the average printing cost.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 13 During surgical implantation, our customized implants sat flush against the surface of the skull, leaving little room for fluid ingress.
Fig. 13 During surgical implantation, our customized implants sat flush against the surface of the skull, leaving little room for fluid ingress.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 14 The skin surrounding the customized head post implants showed no signs of retraction in some animals (left), and up to 3 mm of retraction in others. One animal received a pedestal anchorage base (right) and the skin over the implant was healthy, with little sign of the procedure in the months after surgery.
Fig. 14 The skin surrounding the customized head post implants showed no signs of retraction in some animals (left), and up to 3 mm of retraction in others. One animal received a pedestal anchorage base (right) and the skin over the implant was healthy, with little sign of the procedure in the months after surgery.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 15 The titanium head post generated artefacts in a post-operative MRI scan (demarcated by arrows, top), disrupting the signal in the vicinity of the head post and obscuring the anatomy of the frontal lobe. The resulting distortions in the shape of the brain (demarcated by arrows, bottom) closely followed the contours of the legs of the head post.
Fig. 15 The titanium head post generated artefacts in a post-operative MRI scan (demarcated by arrows, top), disrupting the signal in the vicinity of the head post and obscuring the anatomy of the frontal lobe. The resulting distortions in the shape of the brain (demarcated by arrows, bottom) closely followed the contours of the legs of the head post.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central
Fig. 16 A CT scan revealed the overall contours of the pedestal anchorage base, although numerous artefacts were generated in the image, due to the metallic nature of the implant.
Fig. 16 A CT scan revealed the overall contours of the pedestal anchorage base, although numerous artefacts were generated in the image, due to the metallic nature of the implant.CC BY-NC-ND · PubMed Central

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Metadata

Authors
Chen, X., Possel, J. K., Wacongne, C., van Ham, A. F., Klink, P. C., & Roelfsema, P. R.
Affiliations
Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NL)
Corresponding author
Chen, Xing
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Neuroscience Methods
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2017-07
Volume
286
Pages
38-55
ISSN
0165-0270 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.05.013
PMC
PMC5482398
OpenAlex
W2612758077
Cited by
106
References
47
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 11
FWCI
4.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience Methods (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • KNAW research portal (Royal Academy of Art and Sciences (KNAW)) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • VU Research Portal (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • European Commission (339490)
  • Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek (823-02-010)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Anatomy and Medical Technology
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering › Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies
Keywords
3D printing, cranial implants, non-human primates, patient-specific implants, titanium implants, cranial anatomy, head stabilization, implant design
MeSH terms
Animals, Blood Vessels, Brain, Brain Mapping, Head, Macaca mulatta, Male, Models, Anatomic, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Prostheses and Implants, Imaging, Three-Dimensional, Printing, Three-Dimensional

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