Background

Transparent facemask has been widely used for the prevention and treatment of facial hypertrophic scars all over the world. 3D printing has improved the fabrication accuracy of the traditional transparent facemasks. However, the pressure distribution pattern generated by the 3D-printed transparent facemasks has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study is to develop a biomechanical model to simulate the pressure distribution of the 3D-printed transparent facemask, and to form the biomechanical basis to guide facemask design.

Methods

A finite element model comprised of the head bones, the soft tissues of the face and the transparent facemask was established in ABAQUS CAE package. The contact pressure between the facemask and the face was simulated under 7 loading conditions. The calculated results from the model were validated through comparing with the experimental pressure measurements.

Findings

The calculated results from the model well correlated with the experimental pressure measurements (P < 0.05). The biomechanical model is acceptable for the prediction of interface pressure between the facemask and the face.

Interpretation

The pressure distribution pattern showed the facial areas with thin soft tissues and bony prominence experienced concentrated pressure while areas with thick soft tissues received less or no pressure. Suggestions for future facemask design based on the biomechanical model is releasing the areas with concentrated pressure and indenting areas with insufficient pressure.

中文翻译：

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用于应用压力治疗的 3D 打印透明面罩的有限元模型

背景

透明面罩已在世界范围内广泛用于预防和治疗面部增生性疤痕。3D打印提高了传统透明口罩的制造精度。然而，由 3D 打印的透明面罩产生的压力分布模式尚未得到彻底研究。本研究的目的是开发一种生物力学模型来模拟 3D 打印透明口罩的压力分布，并形成指导口罩设计的生物力学基础。

方法

在ABAQUS CAE软件包中建立了由头骨、面部软组织和透明面罩组成的有限元模型。面罩和面部之间的接触压力是在 7 种载荷条件下模拟的。通过与实验压力测量值的比较，验证了该模型的计算结果。

发现

模型的计算结果与实验压力测量结果很好地相关（P  < 0.05）。生物力学模型可用于预测面罩和面部之间的界面压力。

解释

压力分布模式显示面部软组织薄和骨突出的区域受到的压力集中，而软组织较厚的区域受到的压力较小或没有。基于生物力学模型的未来面罩设计建议是释放压力集中的区域和压低压力不足的区域。