Evaluation of 3D Additively Manufactured Canine Brain Models for Teaching Veterinary Neuroanatomy

Abstract

Physical specimens are essential to the teaching of veterinary anatomy. While fresh and fixed cadavers have long been the medium of choice, plastinated specimens have gained widespread acceptance as adjuncts to dissection materials. Even though the plastination process increases the durability of specimens, these are still derived from animal tissues and require periodic replacement if used by students on a regular basis. This study investigated the use of three-dimensional additively manufactured (3D AM) models (colloquially referred to as 3D-printed models) of the canine brain as a replacement for plastinated or formalin-fixed brains. The models investigated were built based on a micro-MRI of a single canine brain and have numerous practical advantages, such as durability, lower cost over time, and reduction of animal use. The effectiveness of the models was assessed by comparing performance among students who were instructed using either plastinated brains or 3D AM models. This study used propensity score matching to generate similar pairs of students. Pairings were based on gender and initial anatomy performance across two consecutive classes of first-year veterinary students. Students' performance on a practical neuroanatomy exam was compared, and no significant differences were found in scores based on the type of material (3D AM models or plastinated specimens) used for instruction. Students in both groups were equally able to identify neuroanatomical structures on cadaveric material, as well as respond to questions involving application of neuroanatomy knowledge. Therefore, we postulate that 3D AM canine brain models are an acceptable alternative to plastinated specimens in teaching veterinary neuroanatomy.

Printing 3D models of canine jaw fractures for teaching undergraduate veterinary medicine

“…For the modeling stage (from imagery to creation of the 3D CJF model), approximately 3 hours was required. This was much lower when compared to the modeling time for the reproduction of a canine brain, described by Schoenfeld-Tacher et al 26 . This can be explained by the complexity of the model, since it was necessary to accentuate the grooves and folds of the brain, demanding greater virtual modeling, and consequently a longer working time.…”

“…This value does not account for the time taken to master the 3D modeling software, print the base model and plan the process. The criterion used for assessing creation time in the present study was similar to other studies that did not consider these factors not take these factors 7,9,26 .…”

Mesa Anatômica Virtual 3d: A Tecnologia Como Um Novo Recurso Didático Na Medicina Veterinária

“…Esta ferramenta auxiliou na otimização do tempo de estudo do discente e docente, indicando a estrutura desejada. De acordo com estudos realizados, a visualização volumétrica aprimora a capacidade de identificação e localização de estruturas, melhorando assim o desempenho dos estudantes (MARSH et al, 2008;RUISOTO et al, 2012;TWOREK et al, 2013;LISK et al, 2015;RAFFAN et al, 2017;SCHOENFELD-TACHER et al, 2017).…”

“…Sinalizam que a região anatômica estudada também é um fator relevante para definir o impacto que a tecnologia 3D pode gerar no estudo anatômico. A região explorada também é um fator que influencia no uso da tecnologia 3D, pois regiões com superfícies anatômicas reduzidas não são adequadamente estudadas na dissecção de um cadáver formolizado, devido à limitação por seu pequeno volume (HISLEY et al, 2008;MARSH et al, 2008;HU et al, 2010;RUISOTO et al, 2012;TWOREK et al, 2013;LISK et al, 2015;RAFFAN et al, 2017;SCHOENFELD-TACHER et al, 2017).…”

Use of color‐coded, three‐dimensional‐printed equine carpus models is preferred by students but does not result in statistically different academic performance

“…Previously, three-dimensional-printed models have been proposed in veterinary education as feasible alternatives to cadaveric or plastinated specimens. [6][7][8][9] Three-dimensional printing may also be referred to as additive manufacturing, and its diverse potential has been previously described in veterinary medicine. [10][11][12][13][14] With fused deposition printing, the printer creates a model by laying down numerous thin layers of a solidifying polymer.…”