2022 AMI Online Salon
Tear Production Anatomical Model
Project Details
- Entrant Name: Marcelo Oliver
- Client: Oyster Point Pharma
- Copyright: Body Scientific International, 2021
- Medium/software used: Zbrush, CAD
- Final presentation format: 3D printed anatomy, Polyurethane mold, plastic
- Primary Audience: Doctors (GP and Ophthalmologists)
Project Description
A pharmaceutical company needed a model to show how the sensory system within the nose is connected to tear production, for their new nasal spray to treat dry eye disease. The model was meant to be portable, non-fragile, and show a complex anatomical system in a simplified way. The model is the final production model of 3D printed anatomy of the trigeminal nerve and its sensory connections to the tear structures (conjunctiva, lacrimal glands, and meibomian glands) as well as the branch to the nasal mucosa. The plastic, clear head has a built-in case for protection, and a tilt feature to allow the head to be placed at 45 degrees, to demonstrate the correct head tilt for administration. The nasal cavity is big enough to accept the tip of the nasal spray for demonstration purposes. Due to production in the middle of the pandemic, the entire production run was completed domestically to avoid material shortages, factory shutdowns, oversea shipping delays and exponential shipping costs. We utilized a combination of 3D printing and tradition production techniques to produce a durable, quality product. We hope the successful run of this model will encourage more companies to consider custom model development using local resources and manufacturing practices. Better quality and guaranteed timeline is worth the additional cost and promotes using medical design teams instead of outsourcing the least expensive options.
