The INTERREG Inside 3D project, led by Lille University Hospital, is designed to meet a major clinical need in the field of personalised medicine: improving the quality of patient care and strengthening the training of medical students in our cross-border region.

Objectives of the project
Our objective is to determine, on the basis of case studies and demonstrators analysed from the regulatory, ergonomic, medical and socio-economic points of view, the place of in-hospital production using 3D printing:

• for educational models
• certain custom made medical devices
• and personalised medicines

These products will complement the existing medical offering, to meet the needs of patients and healthcare professionals.

Why is Inside 3D essential?

Meeting specific hospital needs

Today, 3D printing is often outsourced, resulting in long lead times and high costs that are incompatible with urgent care. Inside 3D offers a direct solution: Enable hospitals to develop a 3D printing strategy tailored to their context, enabling them to meet clinical needs while optimising costs and lead times.

A tangible impact for patients and professionals

3D printing in hospitals will enable:

• Faster, more personalised care;
• Advanced teaching tools for the training of healthcare professionals;
• Innovations to improve hospital organisation and the quality of care.

A cross-border approach

Our project brings together key players in 3D printing in healthcare, including universities, research centres and hospitals in France, Wallonia and Flanders. Inside 3D will be structured around 7 work modules covering socio-economic, regulatory and technical aspects. This European collaboration guarantees a comprehensive approach incorporating a variety of perspectives to meet the challenges facing healthcare systems.

What will INSIDE 3D bring?

1. Concrete demonstrators: tools and processes tested in pilot hospitals.
2. Practical case studies: to help managers make informed decisions about adopting 3D printing.
3. Strategic recommendations: incorporating the European regulatory framework and best practices.
4. Overall improvement: measurable benefits for patients, professionals and hospital organisation.
   

Within the department of oral health sciences, several activities will happen within work package 3: the 3-D printing of pedagogical models. Dental and/or jaw models for dental education will be developed and 3D printed - in collaboration with Lille University. These are situated within the fields of restorative dentistry, endodontology, and surgery. These models are used in the (preclinical) education of the basic dental course. Ugent is hereby responsible for designing relevant models, 3D printing them, and analysing the educational added value of these 3D printed models.