IIT Madras, Zoriox innovations labs develop 3D-printed face implants for black fungus patients

NEW DELHI: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) researchers collaborate with Zoriox Innovations labs to develop 3D-printed face implants for patients suffering from black fungus. This disease has been reported in COVID-19 patients and patients with uncontrolled diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other medical conditions.

Loss of facial features is a major effect of this black fungus disease. Reconstructive surgery is a viable solution for patients who have lost their facial features due to this disease.

The implantation process has started and approximately 50 implants have already been done on patients from economically-weaker sections. This surgery involves various techniques such as skin grafts, tissue expansion, and microvascular surgery for the reconstruction of the nose, eyes, and other facial structures.

In this research process, IIT Madras will handle the designing and 3D printing part while Zoriox Innovations Labs will look into surgical procedures.

While explaining this technology, IIT Madras professor, Murugaiyan Amirthalingam said, “3D printing has already established itself as a viable and cost-effective method for producing complex custom-made body implants with low volume production. At IIT Madras, extensive research is already being conducted in order to commercialize this technology for the printing of patient-specific implants in stainless steel, Ti-6Al-4V, and Co-Cr-Mo alloys.

A patient's MRI/CT data is converted to printable CAD format with the use of unique algorithms and custom implants are printed from medical-grade titanium on an indigenous laser powder bed facility at IIT Madras.”

The researchers obtain the CT scan of the patient from which they design a specific implant which will meet the needs of the patient. This way the IIT Madras team will be able to print the implant that exactly matches the patient’s face.

Speaking about this initiative, ZorioX Innovation Lab's CEO said, “Post-Covid there has been an increase in the number of black fungus cases. To save the lives of the patients, a lot of facial bones had to be removed. These patients are mostly breadwinners of the family and are now confined within four walls because of their facial deformity.

In association with oral and maxillofacial surgeons, the #Right2face movement seeks to provide these needy patients with facial restoration and give them back their smiles.”