P1033887

Summary

In this interview, Dr. Luciano discusses the founding of the Instituto in 2015, which offers specialized facial prostheses for patients, primarily those recovering from cancer. He highlights the institution's evolution, from its beginnings as individual efforts to a structured system supported by UNIP, emphasizing their use of modern digital techniques for prosthesis creation. The Institute's mission extends beyond physical rehabilitation, aiming to restore emotional and social well-being. Dr. Luciano stresses the importance of community support and research, sharing his personal commitment to making a lasting impact on patients' lives.

Takeaways

• 💡 The institute was founded in 2015 after more than 30-40 years of research and work in various institutions, aiming to create a permanent structure independent of government or external policies.
• 🏥 The institute gained significant momentum in 2020 with the physical support of UNIP and began officially serving patients in 2021.
• 🧑‍🔬 Research before the institute’s formation focused on facial prostheses, specifically for cases where reconstructive surgery was not feasible, such as eyelids or eyes.
• 📱 In 2015-2016, digital technology became integral, with a project using mobile phones to scan faces and create digital models for prosthetic planning, replacing traditional sculpture methods.
• 🌍 The research gained international attention, including a documentary by Discovery Channel, showcasing the institute’s innovative techniques.
• 🤝 The institute's mission has expanded beyond physical rehabilitation to include emotional and social recovery, involving a transdisciplinary team including doctors, psychologists, and digital designers.
• 👥 The institute not only rehabilitates physical disfigurements but also helps patients reintegrate into society, providing solutions for challenges like facial recognition technology.
• 💪 Many patients struggle emotionally after surviving cancer, facing the challenge of living with physical disfigurements, which the institute addresses through comprehensive care and psychological support.
• 💰 Though treatment is free for patients, the cost of producing a single prosthesis can range from $30,000 to $200,000 depending on complexity, and the institute manages costs through efficient team-based processes.
• 🌱 The founder’s personal mission is deeply rooted in his experience working with cancer patients and witnessing their struggles, driving his vision to create a scalable, impactful institute that offers both care and innovative research.

Q & A

How did the Institute come into existence?

The Institute was founded at the end of 2015, but its roots trace back 30 to 40 years when Dr. Luciano and Dr. Piras worked individually in other institutions. They created the Institute to build a permanent structure that wouldn't depend on government policies or other institutions. By 2020, with the support of Unip, a physical structure was established, and services began in 2021.

What is the focus of the research that led to the Institute's creation?

The research focused on bucomaxillofacial prosthetics and surgeries, a field with a long history. The goal was to recover portions of the face that couldn’t be fully restored through surgery alone, such as eyelids and eyes, using prosthetics. Over time, modern digital techniques revolutionized the process, like using cell phone scanning to create digital models of the face for prosthesis planning.

How has technology impacted the work at the Institute?

Technology has significantly improved the process of creating facial prosthetics. The Institute uses digital methods to scan the face, create digital models, and then produce 3D-printed prototypes. These prototypes are tested on the patient and eventually transformed into silicone prosthetics, with attention to color and details like eyebrows and eyelashes.

What was the international impact of the research done at the Institute?

The research carried out at Unip in 2016 had a large international impact, attracting attention from organizations like the Discovery Channel, which created a documentary about the technology developed by the Institute.

What is the broader mission of the Institute beyond physical rehabilitation?

The Institute’s mission extends beyond physical rehabilitation to include emotional and social recovery. They aim to help patients reintegrate into society by addressing emotional needs, helping them regain confidence, and offering opportunities to return to work and social life.

What challenges do patients face beyond their physical conditions?

Many patients, especially those recovering from cancer, face emotional and social challenges. After surviving the disease, they are confronted with disfigurement, which can lead to isolation, loss of work, strained family relationships, and other personal difficulties. The Institute helps these patients not only recover physically but also regain a sense of normalcy and social acceptance.

What role does the Institute play in helping patients reintegrate into society?

The Institute helps patients overcome social challenges like facial recognition for access to modern buildings or identification systems, as many are unable to use these technologies due to facial disfigurements. The work of the Institute allows patients to live more independently and access the same opportunities as others.

What is the psychological and emotional impact on patients and their families?

The psychological impact is profound, both for patients and their families. The Institute offers support through psychologists and social workers, who facilitate conversations between patients and their families, helping them cope with the emotional toll of facial disfigurement and rehabilitation.

How does the Institute manage the costs of providing free treatments to patients?

The Institute has streamlined its processes to reduce costs. Each case can involve over 40-50 sessions, with some treatments costing between 30,000 to 200,000 reais depending on complexity. While the patients don’t pay, the Institute relies on logistical and financial support from various sources to cover these costs.

What is Dr. Luciano’s personal mission in leading the Institute?

Dr. Luciano sees his mission as providing not just physical rehabilitation but also contributing to research and helping train a new generation of professionals. He has worked with cancer patients since early in his career and is committed to advancing the field through scientific development, helping young professionals carry on this important work.