FaceShift: Noninvasive 3D Incremental Molding System for Facial Correction
Overview
FaceShift is developing a noninvasive, personalized intervention to minimize the extent of surgical correction for patients with facial deformities while improving both treatment precision and accessibility. Initially developed for ear deformities, FaceShift also supports applications in the nose, jaw, eyes, and other facial differences.
The Issue
Facial differences can arise from trauma or congenital facial differences, which are among the most common birth conditions. For example, 1 in 5 newborns have ear differences, and 1 in 600 babies is born with cleft lip-nose-palate, requiring multiple lifetime surgeries.
Approach
FaceShift aims to create individualized molds that incrementally shift a patient’s anatomy into the desired position and/or shape. Using a cost-effective and readily accessible 3D scanning technology, the process starts by generating a 3D model of the patient’s anatomy. From this model, we hope to combine AI-driven design and 3D printing to fabricate a series of biocompatible molds that can be progressively worn by the patient to shift their anatomy into place, with the goal of eliminating or minimizing surgeries and their associated risks and costs.
MTM Student Engagement
MTM students will conduct market research and design prototypes for the NoseShift application of FaceShift. They will also participate in the design and execution of clinical trials for EarShift.
Project Brief
