Open AccessDesign of a 3D navigation template to guide the screw trajectory in spine: a step-by-step approach using Mimics and 3-Matic software
Author(s) -
Zhenhua Feng,
Xiaobin Li,
Kevin Phan,
Zhichao Hu,
Kai Zhang,
Jie Zhao,
WenFei Ni,
Ai-Min Wu
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of spine surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2414-469X
pISSN - 2414-4630
DOI - 10.21037/jss.2018.08.02
Subject(s) - spine (molecular biology) , trajectory , software , computer science , engineering drawing , engineering , physics , programming language , microbiology and biotechnology , astronomy , biology
Rapid development of 3D printing techniques has led to the design of navigation templates to assist with accurate insertion of pedicle screws in last decades. However, there are still without the precise step-by-step methods to design 3D navigation templates from computed tomography (CT) images. Our present article provides a detailed protocol to allow the readers or researchers to obtain the 3D navigation template easily, and assist with pedicle screw insertion in their future research and surgery. Using 3D navigation template-assisted pedicle screw fixation in spine surgery is low cost and can decrease the radiation exposure to both patients and surgeons.