Event Title
Evaluation of Using 3D Printing to Design and Build OMM Spinal Models for Teaching and Education
Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
11-5-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
11-5-2023 4:00 PM
Description
INTRODUCTION: Understanding spinal mechanics is the foundation for osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) training. With such knowledge, osteopathic physicians may confidently diagnose and treat spinal somatic dysfunctions. However, a dynamic and objective teaching tool to educate students on spinal mechanics has not been established. While 3D printing is gaining utility in academia, it is only just beginning to be employed within osteopathic educational settings. A literature review found a single study exploring the use of 3D printing to educate students on rib mechanics. Our study makes use of 3D printing to develop a functional model to teach and test students on spinal mechanics.
OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to develop a working OMM model of the spine for educational and testing purposes.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY: This was a design-and-build project consisting of three phases. The primary endpoint was to have a model that could emulate rotational and sidebending motions of the human spine. The secondary endpoint included modifying the model to artificially create constraints on the system representing somatic dysfunction. The initial model was made from sponges and Lego blocks. It replicated sidebending and rotational motion while lacking a realistic human endfeel. The second model maintained the Lego base but incorporated 3D printing to manufacture manipulatable vertebrae. This corrected for the lack of human end-feel, but lacked sidebending capabilities. The final model incorporated both 3D printing and an adjustable cradle to create reproducible somatic dysfunctions. The natural feel of the spine was created by applying springs to recreate the natural recoil of paraspinal muscles and ligaments. Synthetic skin was also placed over the mechanism to generate a more realistic feel.
RESULTS/FINDINGS: The final constructed model served to accurately demonstrate sidebending and rotational components of Fryette’s Laws of spinal motion. The ability to maneuver the cradle base into various positions enabled more thorough testing of somatic dysfunctions. For example, to demonstrate a Type I somatic dysfunction which is sidebent right and rotated left, the cradle base is translated to the left and the left cradle screw is lowered.
FUTURE DIRECTION: The future directions of this project are multifaceted. In terms of the model itself, a comparison of the spring constant between paraspinal connective tissue and the springs used could gain extra palpatory realism. Additionally, while Type II somatic dysfunction can be inferred by sidebending and rotating the vertebral model to the same side, flexion and extension are unable to be tested with the current design. Future studies will also assess the subjective experience and diagnostic accuracy of osteopathic clinical faculty to determine the validity of the tool. The model can then be integrated as an educational tool during the first two years of OMM training, and subjective and objective student feedback will be collected. Eventually, the goal is for the model to be used as a means to standardize testing of students’ diagnostic skills across osteopathic medical schools.
Embargo Period
6-22-2023
Included in
Evaluation of Using 3D Printing to Design and Build OMM Spinal Models for Teaching and Education
Suwanee, GA
INTRODUCTION: Understanding spinal mechanics is the foundation for osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) training. With such knowledge, osteopathic physicians may confidently diagnose and treat spinal somatic dysfunctions. However, a dynamic and objective teaching tool to educate students on spinal mechanics has not been established. While 3D printing is gaining utility in academia, it is only just beginning to be employed within osteopathic educational settings. A literature review found a single study exploring the use of 3D printing to educate students on rib mechanics. Our study makes use of 3D printing to develop a functional model to teach and test students on spinal mechanics.
OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study is to develop a working OMM model of the spine for educational and testing purposes.
DESIGN/METHODOLOGY: This was a design-and-build project consisting of three phases. The primary endpoint was to have a model that could emulate rotational and sidebending motions of the human spine. The secondary endpoint included modifying the model to artificially create constraints on the system representing somatic dysfunction. The initial model was made from sponges and Lego blocks. It replicated sidebending and rotational motion while lacking a realistic human endfeel. The second model maintained the Lego base but incorporated 3D printing to manufacture manipulatable vertebrae. This corrected for the lack of human end-feel, but lacked sidebending capabilities. The final model incorporated both 3D printing and an adjustable cradle to create reproducible somatic dysfunctions. The natural feel of the spine was created by applying springs to recreate the natural recoil of paraspinal muscles and ligaments. Synthetic skin was also placed over the mechanism to generate a more realistic feel.
RESULTS/FINDINGS: The final constructed model served to accurately demonstrate sidebending and rotational components of Fryette’s Laws of spinal motion. The ability to maneuver the cradle base into various positions enabled more thorough testing of somatic dysfunctions. For example, to demonstrate a Type I somatic dysfunction which is sidebent right and rotated left, the cradle base is translated to the left and the left cradle screw is lowered.
FUTURE DIRECTION: The future directions of this project are multifaceted. In terms of the model itself, a comparison of the spring constant between paraspinal connective tissue and the springs used could gain extra palpatory realism. Additionally, while Type II somatic dysfunction can be inferred by sidebending and rotating the vertebral model to the same side, flexion and extension are unable to be tested with the current design. Future studies will also assess the subjective experience and diagnostic accuracy of osteopathic clinical faculty to determine the validity of the tool. The model can then be integrated as an educational tool during the first two years of OMM training, and subjective and objective student feedback will be collected. Eventually, the goal is for the model to be used as a means to standardize testing of students’ diagnostic skills across osteopathic medical schools.
Comments
PCOM Georgia Research Day 2023 Best in Show