Intelligent Health.tech Issue 11 | Page 34

F E A T U R E

burns on children ' s faces and other body parts . Naturally , this was a project of great delicacy , specifically when reproducing the shapes of burnt faces . To make an exact and flexible reproduction of a child ' s face , the digital replica of the utmost precision needed to be obtained before creating a facial prosthesis ( simply put , a plate that is placed on the face ). This is exactly where Artec Eva took the stage .

This versatile and lightweight 3D scanner has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to accurately record surfaces of all kinds , including those of the entire human body and different body parts . Artec Eva has been a goto 3D scanning device in healthcare thanks to both a consistent level of precision and a very mild learning curve : its ease-of-use delights and inspires both newbies and seasoned medical specialists . Based on an utterly safe structured-light technology , the scanner is entirely contactless , quick and precise , which turned out to be just the right attributes for the project .

The entire process of creating face masks for burn victims used to have a traditional plaster technique at the core – a conventional procedure , in which plaster strips are put directly to the skin and used to model the face . This method was incredibly painful , especially to the sensitive children ' s skin . During this uncomfortable and frightening procedure of putting a strain on already fragile skin , a child eventually experienced the next trauma .

The project carried out by 3DZ and Romans Ferrari made it possible to completely reshape the procedure by making it childfriendly , generally less invasive , and much more efficient . The companies replaced the plaster cast with a 3D scan of the patient ’ s face . Thanks to Artec Eva , they were able to obtain a perfect reproduction of a patient ’ s face in all its details without coming into the slightest contact with their skin .

The prosthesis was then created , with the scan serving as a basis , making it both noncontact and more accurate . A 3D scan of the child ' s face made with Artec Eva was the initial , extremely accurate three-dimensional image . The scanned file was then processed in Artec Studio and transferred to Geomagic Freeform software to provide the ideal shape for the mask . All this was followed by Formlabs 3D printer working on creating the final mask . The finished product was a precise , exact , and custom-made replica of the patient ' s face , with silicone devices placed inside the facial prosthesis . These additional devices massage the burned area and allow for better healing and minimised scarring .

More opportunities to drive the project to new horizons

Shortly after implementation , the project caused a huge resonance at conferences , professional meetings and technology exhibitions , the 2023 edition of the Global Industrie Lyon in particular . Inspired by the revolutionary results achieved by Romans Ferrari ’ s team , Artec 3D and 3DZ offered the centre to test Artec ’ s next-generation 3D scanner , Artec Leo , which has been complementing ( and often contesting ) its predecessor ’ s success in the medical field . The idea behind this experimental run was to check if Leo could boost the workflow and enable even more rapid and cost-efficient creation of 3D-printed masks for burn victims .

Romans Ferrari ’ s specialists got to try out Artec ’ s legendary wireless device in different conditions and the initial impressions were more than inspiring . Even though the medical team had only just started exploring the full potential of the AI-driven 3D scanner , they found it fast , intuitive , and extremely convenient – with no cables getting in the way , the 3D replica built on the HD screen in real-time , and Leo ’ s unique processing capabilities , they could entirely concentrate on their patients . “ When we are scanning children with Eva , we take the first scan and

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