Full color 3D printing of anatomical models

Abstract

We propose an effective method for manufacturing human anatomical specimens in response to the shortage of cadaver specimens and the poor simulation results of anatomical specimen substitutes. Digital human data with high precision were used to create digital models and corresponding mapped textures. Different materials were chosen to print the digital models with full-color and multimaterial 3D-printing technology based on the histological characteristics of the anatomical structures.Anatomy experts and surgeons were then invited to compare the 3D printed models with authentic anatomical specimens in terms of morphological appearance, anatomical detail, and textural properties. The skull, brain, hand muscles, blood vessels and nerves of the hand, and the deep structure of the head and face were printed. The skull model used hard material, and the brain and hand muscles models used flexible and hard materials combined. The blood vessels, nerves of the hand, and the superficial and deep structure of the head and face used transparent materials, revealing the small vessels and nerves in the interior. In all the models, there were no significant differences from anatomical specimens in morphological appearance and anatomical detail. They also affected vision and touch in the same way as authentic specimens in the textural properties of color, roughness, smoothness, and fineness. Full-color and multi-material 3D printed anatomical models have the same visual and tactile properties as anatomical specimens and could serve to complement or supplement them in anatomy teaching to compensate for the shortage of cadavers.

Application of 3D printing technology for pre-operative evaluation, education and informed consent in pediatric retroperitoneal tumors

“…Several studies have reported the results of using 3D printing in the education of students and residents. A recent study reported on 3D printing models with a variety of colors to replace the anatomy education with cadaveres 16 , 17 , and 3D-printed liver was reported to be more efficient than a traditional atlas in anatomy education 18 . In education of pathologic models of aortic aneurysm and cancers, 3D printing was useful for surgical education from the survey results 19 .…”

Application of 3D-printed pulmonary segment specimens in experimental teaching of sectional anatomy

“…The segmentation data were obtained by manually delineating the boundaries and tissue structures in Photoshop software. An improved Marching Cubes algorithm was then used to reconstruct the 3D digital models [ 10 ]. The segmentation data were repeatedly modified and validated, ensuring their accuracy.…”

Effects of the individual three‐dimensional printed craniofacial bones with a quick response code on the skull spatial knowledge of undergraduate medical students

“…The pterygopalatine fossa is a complex anatomical region; its components and their relations are usually difficult to define and visualize. Although previous reviews have reported the process of integrating medical images with printed models, 25 most studies have focused on producing the entire skull model because of the challenge of segmenting and rebuilding the skull 26,27 . Only large and clearly distinct organs and structures can be completely segmented since manually delineating each cross‐section of a structure is time intensive and technician dependent.…”