Medical modeling research laboratory

Overview

Our medical modeling research lab brings together experts from the faculties of medicine and dentistry, rehabilitation medicine, engineering and art and design at the University of Alberta. We use advanced digital technologies, including 3D printing, to design surgery and clinical care, making the Craniofacial Care program an international leader in surgical design and simulation technologies in medicine. 

These technologies are applied in clinical care and research in neurosurgery, head and neck surgery, cardiology and orthopedic surgery. Using these technologies leads to better treatment solutions and outcomes for patients.

Innovation and leadership

We replicate complex anatomical structures for:

• diagnosis
• surgical planning
• intraoperative navigation
• the design and creation of osseointegrated prostheses

Services

Medical models
Physical 3D models of anatomy used for surgical planning, visualization and diagnosis

Standard jaw reconstruction digital planning
Digital planning for surgical reconstruction of the jaw (no implants)

Alberta reconstructive technique (ART)
Digital planning for surgical reconstruction of the jaw, including osseointegrated dental implants

Modified Rohner reconstruction technique
Digital planning for placing osseointegrated implants into the fibular bone to be used for reconstruction and oral rehabilitation at a future second surgery (for benign conditions)

Augmentation implant
Digital planning, 3D printing and prosthesis creation for different parts of the body, such as zygomatic implants (in the cheekbone)

Post-Mohs reconstruction
Template fabrication to guide reconstruction after Mohs surgery for skin cancer.