August 2, 2012 9:59 am
Why 3-D Printed Fetuses Represent the Future of Medical Imaging
Clear rosin represents the mother’s tissue, while the fetus is suspended in white. Image: Nlab
In the future, scientists hope to be able to 3-D print whole organs for implantation in those who need them. But first, some baby steps: the 3-D printed fetus. Part memento for parents, part medical imaging advance, the fetus takes 3-D printing into the womb.
Smart Planet explains how the fetus printing is done:
The miniature, 3D replica of your fetus is created through an MRI scan, and then the image is given dimensional shape through 3D software. Once this is complete, clear resin is used for the mother’s body, and white resin is used to take on the same of the fetus, constructed through a 3D printer.
To get your personal 3-D fetus, you have to head to the clinic in Japan and shell out 100,000 yen, or $1230.
While this might seem creepy to you, especially considering the little pre-tyke comes in a cute jewelry box, this kind of 3-D printing could actually be quite useful. The 3-D model is way better than an ultrasound at visualizing just what the fetus looks like.
Applied to other organs and cells, this 3-D printing could make medical imaging and teaching far easier. Imagine a medical student learning about the heart while manipulating a 3-D printed model of his or her own. Or students in high school seeing printed versions of their own egg and sperm cells (magnified of course). Rather than slides on the screen or even cadaver examples, a 3-D printed fetus turns the idea of a thing into a visceral experience.
More from Smithsonian.com
A 3-D Printer Goes to Work for the Smithsonian
Fetal Genome Sequenced Without Help From Daddy
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Very insightful to point out the medical potential of this 3d printing application. The 3d printer used for these models is the Objet Connex multi-material 3d printer. It is the only 3d printer able to print in more than one material creating this type of effect. With this multi-material 3d printing technology you can 3d print many internal scans. The medical applications are numerous. For more information about the Objet Connex 3D printer used to create this “Shape of an Angel” model, have a look at the Objet Blog – 3D Printed Toddler (with Visible Internal Bone Structure): http://ow.ly/cJgyh
Disclaimer – I work for Objet.
Comment by Leah Kaplan — August 3, 2012 @ 7:00 pm