Name
#152 - Application of 3D Imaging and Printing Techniques for the Reconstruction of a Gunshot Wound to the Face for Future Investigations on Wound Ballistics and Biomechanics
Date & Time
Monday, February 12, 2024, 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Description

During close combat training, an army sergeant major suffered a gunshot wound from a short-range / practical training (PT) projectile. Shot from a distance of less than 10 metres, the plastic bullet hit the right side of his face immediately below his shooting glasses. The soldier suddenly lost vision in his right eye but retained consciousness. The impact of the bullet caused severe damage to the eye and fragmentation of the orbit and zygomatic bone. Several surgical procedures were required to preserve the integrity of the face and especially the eye socket. For an injury risk analysis of this special type of ammunition, a wound ballistic reconstruction of the presented case is required. Here we present the application of 3D imaging and printing techniques to produce a lifelike model of the patient’s head for future investigations on wound ballistics. A CAD program was used to produce a virtual 3D model of the injured skull from CT data. With different technical operations, the left side of the head was mirrored in the sagittal plane to facilitate the production of an intact model of the patient’s entire skull. The skull was then 3D printed using Multi-Jet Modeling. Optical scanning of the patient’s face was then used for surface reconstruction. Based on this data, Multi- Jet Modeling and manufacturing of a casting mold were investigated for the production of facial soft tissue. The application of these multimodal fabrication techniques allowed the production of a copy of the patient’s intact head, representing both bone and soft tissue. The use of polyurethane and gelatine simulant materials enabled the realistic representation of ballistic-induced short-term dynamic material responses. The results are planned to be used for further injury risk analyses using a finite element model of a human head.

Location Name
Prince Georges Exhibit Hall A/B
Content Presented on Behalf of
International Delegates
Learning Outcomes
1. Following this session, the attendees will be able to summarize key steps of 3D imaging and printing techniques. 2. The attendees will learn how to interpret the injuries associated to gunshot wounds by means of 3D reconstruction of image data. 3. The attendees will be able to illustrate the potential danger of training ammunition on the basis of a case presentation.
Session Type
Posters
Dropdown Content Presented On Behalf Of:
International Delegates