3D Rapid Prototyping Heart Model Validation for Teaching and Training — A Pilot Project in a Teaching Institution

Abstract

Introduction Rapid prototyping is a process by which three-dimensional (3D) computerized surface models are converted into physical models. In this study, a 3D heart bio model was created using the rapid prototyping method and the accuracy of this heart model was assessed by clinicians. Methods The two-dimensional images of normal heart from gated computed tomography scan datasets were used to create a 3D model of the heart. The slices were then processed using the software BioModroid and printed with the 3D printer. The evaluation of the model was performed by a questionnaire answered by four cardiothoracic surgeons, 12 cardiologists, five radiologists, and nine surgical registrars. Results Eighty-six percent of the anatomy structures showed in this model scored 100% accuracy. Structures such as circumflex branch of left coronary artery, great cardiac vein, papillary muscle, and coronary sinus were each rated 77%, 70%, 70%, and 57% accurate. Among 30 clinicians, a total of 93% rated the model accuracy as good and above; 64% of the clinicians evaluated this model as an excellent teaching tool for anatomy class. As a visual aid for surgery or interventional procedures, the model was rated excellent (40%), good (50%), average (23%), and poor (3%); 70% of the clinicians scored the model as above average for training purpose. Overall, this 3D rapid prototyping cardiac model was rated as excellent (33%), good (50%), and average (17%). Conclusion This 3D rapid prototyping heart model will be a valuable source of anatomical education and cardiac interventional management.

The role of 3D printed heart models in immediate and long-term knowledge acquisition in medical education

“…Cadaveric specimens are often inaccessible to students, expensive to maintain, and subjective to wear and tear overtime. Additionally, depending on the availability, the cadaveric specimens only demonstrate certain types of CHD (i.e., lesion-specific), and therefore cannot represent the whole spectrum of CHD [1,3,[6][7][8].…”

“…3D printed heart models (3DPHM) have shown to be a novel teaching approach that can improve students' and health providers' learning experience and satisfaction [9]. The 3DPHM were reported with the advantages of being easily accessible, affordable, and the ability to reproduce any type of lesions, including those which are rare and more complex [1,3,7,8]. Being tangible, the students can also assess the cardiac morphology up close at any viewing angle, achieving deeper understanding of the cardiac morphology without the need to master the knowledge of cardiac imaging [8].…”

Using Augmented Reality to Enhance Medical Education in Heart Diseases: Action Design Research

“…audio pronunciation for all heart anatomy terms and gives the users the ability to select any external part of the heart to view the name of the part or read related information about it [14].…”

Uso de prototipagem rápida ou manufatura aditiva para estudos de casos clínicos e planejamento de técnica cirúrgica utilizando modelos 3D

“…A Prototipagem rápida consiste na transformação de imagens digitais em modelos físicos tridimensionais (Provenzano et al, 2020;Krishnasamy et al, 2021). A Manufatura Aditiva (MA) ou mais usualmente conhecida como impressão tridimensional (3D), é um processo de produção de objetos geométricos utilizando materiais (sintéticos ou orgânicos), que consiste na fabricação, a partir de um modelo tridimensional computadorizado, e exteriorizado por meio de impressoras que adicionam sucessivas camadas do material (Lozano et al, 2017;Volpato et al, 2017).…”

“…Softwares produzem, por meio da engenharia reversa que converte imagens de exames digitais comuns no dia a dia médico (RX, TC, RM e até ultrassonografias), peças volumétricas (Allen et al, 2015;Araujo et al, 2019). Modelos fotogramétricos são produzidos com uso de scanners que digitalizam objetos como peças anatômicas e permitem a reprodução com a impressão 3D (Jones, 2019;Krishnasamy et al, 2021). Todos esses são meios que facilitam o processo ensino-aprendizagem contínuo de anatomia, fisiologia, casos clínicos, além de auxiliar nos processos cirúrgicos mostrando uma área dentro do campo médico (Singh et al, 2016;Cramer et al, 2017;Smith et al, 2018).…”