A pilot study in the application of texture relief for digitally designed facial prostheses

Abstract

This research identified and assessed suitable technologies that may be used to capture, create and produce fine textures and wrinkles that may be incorporated into computer aided prosthesis design and production techniques. This work was part of a long-term study into digital design techniques in facial prostheses conducted with Morriston Hospital.

The application of texture in digital prosthesis design was previously unexplored and the author identified the need to develop and evaluate the techniques and direct future research.

An understanding of the technological and clinical requirements was required to achieve the research objectives, which were to define suitable levels of skin texture, identify methods of digitally re-creating and capturing texture, apply and evaluate the selected methods through case studies. Following a cross-discipline review of skin wrinkling and micro-relief, a range of suitable technologies were identified, and two methods that may be used in different prosthetic rehabilitation situations were assessed: The creation of three-dimensional relief in a computer aided design environment and the capture of facial anatomy and texture using 3D fringe projection surface scanning. Suitable Rapid Prototyping methods were evaluated and an optimum process identified. Wax patterns were produced using the RP process and these were assessed by a qualified and experienced prosthetist to assist in identifying the clinical relevance.

The findings from this original study have been used to inform subsequent research by the author and others in the field and have produced a significant advance in the digital design and manufacture of facial prostheses.