Personalized metal implants are produced using bio-compatible powders and complex geometries with a 3D printer within the Medical Device Design and Production Application and Research Center (METAM) laboratories at Karadeniz Technical University (KTU). Prof. Dr. Muhammet Uraloğlu from the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at KTU stated, "When our patients have congenital or acquired facial asymmetries, or symmetrical deformities, personalized implant production is carried out precisely at our center."

Focusing on patient specific implant technologies, the academicians and researchers at METAM, established at KTU three years ago, continue their efforts towards applying high-tech implants on patients. Through ongoing studies at METAM laboratories, successful production of patient specific metal implants has been achieved using 3D printing technology with biomedical 3D printer powders and complex geometries. Following physician recommendations and design processes, 3D solid models are produced at the center by laser technology, adhering to international medical device regulations and initiating collaboration with the Social Security Institution (SGK). Within the 10-laboratory center, research also continues on metal, polymer, and ceramic products using three different technologies.

"3D IMPLANT PRODUCTION IN CORRECT DIMENSIONS IS ENSURED"

Prof. Dr. Muhammet Uraloğlu provided insight into their work, stating, "Implants are produced using 3D printers at the Medical Device Design and Production Application and Research Center. We apply these implants to our patients in our clinic. When our patients have congenital or acquired facial asymmetries, or symmetrical deformities, patient specific implants are produced. For example, if there is bone fragmentation and deficiency around the eye socket after a traffic accident, causing problems with the patient's appearance, detailed imaging of the patient is taken. The intact half of the patient's face is mirrored onto the affected side. In other words, the missing part from the healthy side is identified, and 3d implant production in correct dimensions is ensured."

"IMPLANTS ARE ALSO APPLIED TO JAW FRACTURES"

Prof. Dr. Uraloğlu mentioned their capabilities in jaw fracture treatment, stating, "After producing these implants and applying them, we can perform routine implant applications, as well as jawbone surgeries. Previously, there was a technological deficiency, and we couldn't produce 3D parts symmetrically. Now, with 3d implant production in correct dimensions tailored to each patient, a complete mirror image of the healthy side is created without any errors and applied to the affected side. When the implant is applied, the deficiency is corrected, and the image is completed with less than 1 millimeter of precision error between the right and left halves. This procedure is also used in facial and brain surgeries, for instance, when there is a deficiency in skull bones."

"WE ARE THE SECOND CENTER FOR IMPLANTS"

Drawing attention to the fact that the right and left halves of patients' faces do not develop equally, Uraloğlu said, "Bone deficiency mainly concerns applications related to the head and neck region. Sometimes there are congenital anomalies. The right and left halves of our patients' faces do not always develop equally. There may be deficiencies in the jawbone. The deficiency in the jawbone is completed by taking a copy from the healthy side. We never face compatibility issues; we complete symmetric deficiencies exactly. This implant application exists in another center in Türkiye. We become the second center in the field. We are also negotiating with SGK regarding the production of these implants in Türkiye."

"WE ADHERE TO INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL DEVICE REGULATIONS"

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aslan, the Director of METAM, mentioned that they produce metal implants using 3D printing technology with biomedical 3D printer powders, stating, "We conduct studies on patient specific implant technologies in our center. Along with the additive manufacturing devices in our center, we work on 3D solid implant models used by surgeons during surgeries. The device we have here is a device that produces implants based on metal additive manufacturing technology. With this device, we produce metal implants with complex geometries using 3D printing technology and biomedical 3D printer powders. After design processes based on our doctors' recommendations, suitable geometries are obtained, and after their approval, micron-level raw materials in powder form are added to each other here using laser technology to produce solid models. We are subject to international medical device regulations. In this regard, we are working on developing processes with both SGK and the Medical Device Agency."

"3 DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES IN 10 LABORATORIES"

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aslan also mentioned that they continue their studies with three different technologies in 10 laboratories, stating, "Our center was officially established in 2021. We have 10 laboratories in our center. Along with three different technologies, we conduct studies on metal, polymer, and ceramic products. Together with these material technologies, we carry out project studies on patient specific implant technologies, development of educational models used in the healthcare field, and engineering materials."