A method of creating three-dimensional anatomical models from medical scans has been developed by a excellent engineers.

rapid biomedical prototyping article

We are confident that his acrylic resin replicas, manufactured by a process known as rapid prototyping, will become invaluable tools to health professionals for diagnosis, surgical procedures and in the design of medical appliances. "Medical anatomical models have been demonstrated to help understanding and awareness of medical problems," They said.

"They can also contribute to faster intervention, reduce operation time, minimize patient discomfort, improve treatment success rate, increase the speed of recovery and limit cost." The process begins with gathering computer-generated medical images (from CT, MRI or ultrasound). Using specific computer software, anatomical tissue is then identified and a three-dimensional image is reconstructed as a virtual model. The virtual model can then be turned into a physical model using a laser machine that draws the model onto resin. Where the laser hits the resin, the resin solidifies. rapid biomedical prototyping describes this as an integration of medical imaging, computer-aided design, finite element analysis and rapid prototyping. "Other universities are working on biomedical modeling, but we are the only ones using this integrated approach," he says.

It currently takes 48 hours for the model to be produced from the medical images. But rapid biomedical prototyping expects the technology to advance rapidly so that a model could be produced within minutes. "Although doctors can get plenty of information from medical scans, having a model would help them to have a more complete idea of what is going on with the patient," he points out.

"For example, we can reproduce an accurate model of a brain tumor, which the neurosurgeon could use in order to know exactly which parts of the brain are affected. In the rapid biomedical prototyping future it will probably be possible to use bio-compatible models, which could be used as implants."