Multi-scale in silico and ex silico mechanics of 3D printed cochlear implants for local drug delivery

The currently available treatments for inner ear disorders often involve systemic drug administration, leading to suboptimal drug concentrations and side effects. Cochlear implants offer a potential solution by providing localized and sustained drug delivery to the cochlea. While the mechanical characterization of both the implants and their...

Enhancing flexibility and strength-to-weight ratio of polymeric stents: A new variable-thickness design approach

This paper presents a new design strategy to improve the flexibility and strength-to-weight ratio of polymeric stents. The proposed design introduces a variable-thickness (VT) stent that outperforms conventional polymeric stents with constant thickness (CT). While polymeric stents offer benefits like flexibility and bioabsorption, their...

Biomechanical evaluation of additively manufactured patient-specific mandibular cage implants designed with a semi-automated workflow: A cadaveric and retrospective case study

Objective: Mandibular reconstruction using patient-specific cage implants is a promising alternative to the vascularized free flap reconstruction for nonirradiated patients with adequate soft tissues, or for patients whose clinical condition is not conducive to microsurgical reconstruction. This study aimed to assess the biomechanical...

Optimisation methodology of large-scale 3D printing using recycled plastics

This graduation project is in cooperation with TU Delft, Tentech BV, Aectual and White Lioness technologies. It aims to investigate the feasibility of using recycled plastics as material for large-scale 3D printing with the 3D printer KamerMaker. In the meantime, a thickness distribution methodology is proposed for taking advantage of the...

Multi-material 3D printed mechanical metamaterials: Rational design of elastic properties through spatial distribution of hard and soft phases

Up until recently, the rational design of mechanical metamaterials has usually involved devising geometrical arrangements of micro-architectures that deliver unusual properties on the macro-scale. A less explored route to rational design is spatially distributing materials with different properties within lattice structures to achieve the...

Design and optimization method for 3D printed carbon reinforced aircraft components

Recent developments in the field of plastic additive manufacturing have seen the introduction of carbon fibres in printed products. These fibres improve the strength and stiffness of the thermoplastic based components. Two approaches are currently seen, the very short fibre embedded in the printing filament and continuous fibres, where the...