Revolutionary 3D Medical Models Save Patients Thousands on Orthopedic Surgery

Online, December 9, 2010 (Newswire.com) - ACRM Corp is shortening operation time by 15% and greatly reducing costs, thanks to their three dimensional orthopedic models. Models of the spine, knee and the skull are some of the most common body parts ACRM can replicate.

This patent pending process entails rendering three-dimensional, lifelike models from CT and MRI scans. The models are then used by physicians and surgeons to thoroughly diagnose and prepare for many common orthopaedic operations and procedures. The models are exact replicas, accurate to within 1/35th of a millimeter and are specific to each individual patient's anatomy. This allows for practice of delicate maneuvers and more thorough evaluations before the operation, cutting down on costs, risks and time during the actual procedure.

The process starts when an expert medical stereolithographer carefully analyzes and formats the data from a patient's CT or MRI scan to optimize it for production. Using a bone-like powder, the stereolithographer then creates the model via a 3D printing process.

These models can be used by surgeons to aid in the diagnosis of skull-related conditions such as craniosynostosis, deformational plagiocephaly, or other cranial or craniofacial conditions, and assist in pre-surgical preparation for the neurosurgery to correct said conditions. Spine models are commonly used for use diagnosis and patient education for conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, cauda equina and other spinal conditions, as well as being used for the surgeon to perform a "dry run" on the procedure before actually entering the operating room. These spine models can range in price up to $1,000.

Benefits of analyzing these models before surgery include:
• More accurate diagnosis of maladies often not seen in a two-dimensional CT scan or other medical imagery.
• The opportunity for surgeons to perform "dry run" operations. With a practice round completed, overall risk and time are reduced in the real procedure.
• The opportunity to better explain upcoming procedures to patients and their loved ones. The model can be used in lifelike demonstrations before the operation.
• The educational benefit of using the models to surgical residents and medical students.

Thanks to the technology provided by ACRM Corp, patient-specific models can reduce total actual operation time by 10-15%, which equates to tens of thousands of dollars in saved costs for the hospital, patient, and insurance companies for each surgery.