Gianmaria Concheri

Unilateral masseter muscle hypertrophy: morphofunctional analysis of the relapse after treatment with botulinum toxin.

Abstract This is a case of unilateral masseter muscle hypertrophy (MMH) treated with botulinum toxin (NHAI - normalised hemi-facial asymmetry index improvement from 5.48 to 3.04). After 19 months, the treatment was repeated because of hypertrophy relapse (NHAI increase up to 6.82). The volume variations in the masseter area were monitored during 25 months using a laser scanner to compute facial volume. In order to relate the cause of hypertrophy and relapse to the presence of parafunctional activities, a nocturnal electromyography (EMG) study was conducted with positive results (nocturnal parafunctions of patients 4074.99 μV to be compared with a control group value of 1644.63 μV). The lack of the left inferior molars and the consequent right occlusal support seemed to justify the hypertrophy of right masseter (MMRight-POC [percent overlapping coefficient] 91.9%). However, the prosthetic rehabilitation did not prevent relapse in the same muscle. The EMG analysis of both the muscular activation (MMRight-POC 66.0% after relapse) and inhibition activity in Maximum Voluntary Clench (MVC) resulted in contradictory conclusions. At present, the available knowledge regarding MMH physiopathology is very limited and does not support a therapeutic rationale for relapse prevention.

Shape analysis of a parametric human lens model based on geometrical constraints

Several simple models, such as conicoid models, are usually adopted to describe the surfaces of the human crystalline lens; unfortunately they do not provide a continuous junction between the anterior and the posterior surface of the lens and then they cannot qualify for biomechanical simulation. Vice versa, more complex mathematical models give a continuous junction between the anterior and the posterior surface, but do not provide a geometrical or optical interpretation of the coefficients of the model. In this work we propose a continuous curvature lens model in which the coefficients are derived by geometrical constraints. In this way, both the continuity in the junction zone and a geometrical-physical interpretation of the coefficient involved in the model are obtained. Shape, volume and curvature of the proposed model were compared with four models presented in the literature: two independent conic equations, two interdependent figuring conicoid equations, conic patches model and modulated hyperbolic cosine.

Optimization of lattice structures for Additive Manufacturing Technologies

Additive manufacturing technologies enable the fabrication of parts characterized by shape complexity and therefore allow the design of optimized components based on minimal material usage and weight. In the literature two approaches are available to reach this goal: adoption of lattice structures and topology optimization. In a recent work a Computer-Aided method for generative design and optimization of regular lattice structures was proposed. The method was investigated in few configurations of a cantilever beam, considering six different cell types and two load conditions. In order to strengthen the method, in this paper a number of test cases have been carried out. Results explain the behavior of the method during the iterations, and the effects of the load and of the cell dimension. Moreover, a visual comparison between the proposed method and the results achieved by topology optimization is shown.

Computation of Femoral Canine Morphometric Parameters in Three‐Dimensional Geometrical Models

OBJECTIVE To define and validate a method for the measurement of 3-dimensional (3D) morphometric parameters in polygonal mesh models of canine femora. STUDY DESIGN Ex vivo/computerized model. SAMPLE POPULATION Sixteen femora from 8 medium to large-breed canine cadavers (mean body weight 28.3 kg, mean age 5.3 years). METHODS Femora were measured with a 3D scanner, obtaining 3D meshes. A computer-aided design-based (CAD) software tool was purposely developed, which allowed automatic calculation of morphometric parameters on a mesh model. Anatomic and mechanical lateral proximal femoral angles (aLPFA and mLPFA), anatomic and mechanical lateral distal femoral angles (aLDFA and mLDFA), femoral neck angle (FNA), femoral torsion angle (FTA), and femoral varus angle (FVA) were measured in 3D space. Angles were also measured onto projected planes and radiographic images. RESULTS Mean (SD) femoral angles (degrees) measured in 3D space were: aLPFA 115.2 (3.9), mLPFA 105.5 (4.2), aLDFA 88.6 (4.5), mLDFA 93.4 (3.9), FNA 129.6 (4.3), FTA 45 (4.5), and FVA -1.4 (4.5). Onto projection planes, aLPFA was 103.7 (5.9), mLPFA 98.4 (5.3), aLDFA 88.3 (5.5), mLDFA 93.6 (4.2), FNA 132.1 (3.5), FTA 19.1 (5.7), and FVA -1.7 (5.5). With radiographic imaging, aLPFA was 109.6 (5.9), mLPFA 105.3 (5.2), aLDFA 92.6 (3.8), mLDFA 96.9 (2.9), FNA 120.2 (8.0), FTA 30.2 (5.7), and FVA 2.6 (3.8). CONCLUSION The proposed method gives reliable and consistent information about 3D bone conformation. Results are obtained automatically and depend only on femur morphology, avoiding any operator-related bias. Angles in 3D space are different from those measured with standard radiographic methods, mainly due to the different definition of femoral axes.

Geometric modeling of lattice structures for additive manufacturing

This paper aims to propose a consistent approach to geometric modeling of optimized lattice structures for additive manufacturing technologies.,The proposed method applies subdivision surfaces schemes to an automatically defined initial mesh model of an arbitrarily complex lattice structure. The approach has been developed for cubic cells. Considering different aspects, five subdivision schemes have been studied: Mid-Edge, an original scheme proposed by the authors, Doo–Sabin, Catmull–Clark and Bi-Quartic. A generalization to other types of cell has also been proposed.,The proposed approach allows to obtain consistent and smooth geometric models of optimized lattice structures, overcoming critical issues on complex models highlighted in literature, such as scalability, robustness and automation. Moreover, no sharp edge is obtained, and consequently, stress concentration is reduced, improving static and fatigue resistance of the whole structure.,An original and robust method for modeling optimized lattice structures was proposed, allowing to obtain mesh models suitable for additive manufacturing technologies. The method opens new perspectives in the development of specific computer-aided design tools for additive manufacturing, based on mesh modeling and surface subdivision. These approaches and slicing tools are suitable for parallel computation, therefore allowing the implementation of algorithms dedicated to graphics cards.

Shape and curvature error estimation in polished surfaces of ground glass molds

Abstract. In the fabrication process of aspheric glass lens and molds, shape characterization is a fundamental task to control geometrical errors. Nevertheless, the more significant geometrical functional aspect related to the optical properties is the curvature, which is rarely investigated in the manufacturing process of lenses. Algorithms for the assessment of shape and curvature errors on aspheric surface profile are presented. The method has been investigated on profiles measured before and at different steps of the membrane polishing process. The results show how surface roughness, shape, and curvature change during the polishing process as a function of the machining time.

Geometric Modeling of Cellular Materials for Additive Manufacturing in Biomedical Field: A Review

Advances in additive manufacturing technologies facilitate the fabrication of cellular materials that have tailored functional characteristics. The application of solid freeform fabrication techniques is especially exploited in designing scaffolds for tissue engineering. In this review, firstly, a classification of cellular materials from a geometric point of view is proposed; then, the main approaches on geometric modeling of cellular materials are discussed. Finally, an investigation on porous scaffolds fabricated by additive manufacturing technologies is pointed out. Perspectives in geometric modeling of scaffolds for tissue engineering are also proposed.

An Integrated Tool for Geometric Reconstruction of Functional Surfaces

At Laboratory of Design Tools and Methods in Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, the FIRE project “Functional Integrated Reverse Engineering” was started, which focuses in the realisation of a novel technological environment for performing the reverse engineering of functional prototypes or products. This environment consists of hardware technologies, a multi-probes system integrated in a 5-axis machine, and of software technologies, a software module aimed at phases of preprocessing, correction and analysis of the acquired data. In the present work, an introduction to the project is given together with the description of the equipment and the software module characteristic already set up, with some example of reconstruction of functional surfaces.

Collaborative Design and Manufacturing of a Customizable Voice Prosthesis

An innovative approach to the development of biomedical devices must be intrinsically collaborative, because it requires a strict correlation among medical specialists and engineers, and a careful calibration of Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Tooling techniques in order to account for the required prosthesis design optimisation, customisation and lead time. In this paper, besides a discussion on some critical aspects relevant to the collaborative development of a voice prosthesis, some preliminary results on the functional design and the analysis of the fitting conditions of a composite mold manufactured using Rapid Prototyping (RP) techniques will be presented.