New Advancements in 3D Printing Medical Models

Radiology communities have discovered the perfect complement to their life-saving medical imaging – 3D printing. Translating medical images into tangible, visual 3D printed models has proved to assist surgeons and other medical practitioners, educate patients, train students and plan procedures.

This past week at Radiological Society of North America 2017 show, we engaged with countless medical professionals utilizing and looking to adopt 3D printing to increase their patient’s outcomes. We joined Stratasys as we discussed and announced advancements in anatomical models that will take the complementary nature of 3D printing and radiology to the next level.

Custom Anatomical Models

The medical industry is rapidly embracing the cutting-edge production of 3D printed anatomical models for pre-operative procedural planning. 3D printed pre-procedural models are low-cost and are customized to individual patients. Created from medical scans, the printed models provide physicians the opportunity to map out their procedures in a no-risk surgical setting. The rapidly produced and quickly delivered models assist with procedure validation, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Anatomical models are produced from 3D CAD models generated seamlessly from medical scans to represent patient-specific anatomy. Surgeons can plan and practice surgical procedures on a patient’s modeled organ in advance of an operation.

Stratasys’ PolyJet technology is one of the fastest on the market, and Stratasys Direct has industry leading capacity. Models are delivered in a matter of days, meeting the demands of the time sensitive medical situation. To be most effective, anatomical models should possess the vibrant blues, reds and nudes true to actual human anatomy. PolyJet delivers with a full range of color options, textures and transparencies. These options enable the medical professional to make the authentic anatomical color distinctions that enhance the utility of the model.

Integrated Workflows

Traditionally, anatomical models have been manufactured through a variety of methods, such as wax sculpting and injection molding. These methods can be expensive, not uniquely representative of a patient’s specific anatomy and include long lead times. 3D printing offers the most effective solution for rapid customization through PolyJet technology and Stratasys Direct Manufacturing’s integrated workflows with Philips.

Leveraging nearly three decades of 3D printing expertise, Stratasys Direct offers the capacity, technology and materials to successfully produce amazing customized pre-procedural models. We’ve collaborated with medical software providers to develop a seamless transition from medical scans to quickly deliver 3D printed models. The collaboration establishes a streamlined scan to print workflow, arming medical professionals with a physical representation of the patient's anatomy for the procedure they are planning. Read about our latest announcement with Philips.

Advanced Medical Models: Bringing Anatomical Models to Life

Stratasys announced a breakthrough in realistic medical models that mimic real human anatomy. Advanced Medical Models recreate complex anatomy, pathology and variability in rich detail, providing realistic models for a broad range of clinical scenarios. The library of models available include pediatric hearts, spines with vertebrae, lumbar, scoliosis and degenerative disk, long bones like femurs and radius, and vascular, TAV and neurovascular parts.

Created from patient studies including pathology, Advanced Medical Models are anatomically accurate, biomechanically realistic, highly functional, and unshackled from the cost and inconvenience of animal and cadaver labs. They come in a range of tissue properties and integrate anatomical microstructures, such as bone internal structures. The models are perfect for simulating clinical procedures such as drilling and reaming, cutting and suturing, and device placement.

To learn more about Advanced Medical Models,visit stratasys.com/medical.