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 Medical Modeling Research Laboratory

 Surgical design and 3D printing for medical applications

The Medical Modeling Research Laboratory (MMRL) is located at iRSM and involves collaborative  work from several faculties of the University of Alberta, including the faculties of Medicine and Dentistry, Rehabilitation Medicine, Engineering, and Art and Design.

The laboratory opened its doors in 2005. Since then, the team has streamlined research and clinical services in relation to the application of advanced digital technologies in surgery. In the MMRL, clinical application of technology, research and education serve as the cornerstones of development in medical solutions. Through the work carried out at MMRL, iRSM has established itself an international leader in surgical design and simulation (SDS) technologies in medicine. Applying advanced SDS technologies lead to better and more efficient treatment solutions and outcomes. This technology is also used for clinical and research applications in neurosurgery, head and neck surgery, cardiology, and orthopedic surgery.

iRSM is leading the way in replicating complex anatomical structures using medical models for diagnosis, surgical planning, intra-operative navigation, as well as in the design and planning for osseointegrated implant-supported prostheses.

Services

• Medical models

◦     Physical model of a body part to be used for surgical planning, visualization and diagnostic purposes

• Standard jaw reconstruction digital planning

◦     Digitally planning the surgical reconstruction of the jaw (no implants)

• Alberta Reconstructive Technique (ART)

◦     Digitally planning the surgical reconstruction of the jaw, including osseointegrated dental implants

• Modified Rohner Reconstruction Technique

◦     Digitally planning the two-step surgical procedure of 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 biocompatible prosthesis creation for various anatomical areas, including craniotomy, zygomatic implant, and other areas

• Post-Mohs reconstruction

◦         Template fabrication to guide the reconstruction in the Mohs surgical treatment for skin cancer

Head and Neck Surgery Functional Assessment Laboratory

In this lab, speech-language pathologists:

• Systematically evaluate speech, voice, resonance (soft palate function), and swallowing in patients with head and neck cancer to understand how these parameters are altered by various treatment modalities.
• Provide speech and/or swallowing therapy after delivery of osseointegrated dental prostheses.
• Optimize function and swallow safety for patients who receive osseointegrated (implant-supported) dental prostheses at iRSM.
• Work with the prosthodontic team to provide patients with speech/resonance prostheses:
  • Palatal augmentation prosthesis (PAP)
  • Pharyngeal or maxillary obturator
  • Palatal lift appliance (PLA)

Conduct clinical research to study the functional outcomes of a variety of surgical and therapeutic techniques to determine their benefit to the patient.