The 3D printing community is based on sharing of knowledge, and the innovation and inspiration offered through 3D printing technology has the potential to make a deep and continual impact in the area of education. While 3D printing is sweeping the medical industry with a variety of materials, devices, and ways to assist in procedures, one element that is often taken for granted and perhaps glossed over is how important it is to be able to use 3D printed models to show not only doctors what is going on inside a patient’s body, but also to show the patients themselves.
It can be terrifying to have an internal illness or disease, and have little or no concept for visualizing it or really understanding it outside of the doctor’s visit and google. While there is an emphasis on communication and information in this high-tech era, just ask any teacher — nothing works better for educating than accentuating with visual aids. And 3D printing can provide this service above and beyond what we’ve experienced previously, giving a tangible explanation of what’s going on in the body upon translation from MRIs, CT scans, and relevant digital files.
Radboud University Medical Center is on board with not only healing, but informing. Based in the Netherlands, this medical institution is known as a leading academic facility. They see the future of medicine including the ‘self-empowered’ patient — as well as family, because we all know from experience that when a loved one is ill, everyone can be affected on so many levels, from grief, to the trials and tribulations of illness, right down to what can be most important: understanding what is happening.
In line with their goals for empowering patients and families, Radboudumc has launched a program called REshape Center for Innovation, which is meant to uphold their plans and ideals for promoting the empowered patient of the future. They set up conferences and work to provide an ongoing forum for this regarding an enormous platform for the exchange of information and ultimately, support.
With word spreading about the use of 3D printed models in medicine, the team at REshape began considering the use of 3D printing models of patient tumors so that they could visualize what was going on inside their bodies. Going on the educated hunch that this might be a good coping mechanism, they wanted to be sensitive to needs and ideas from patients, so they reached out and talked to those affected. The response was very positive.
The REshape team spoke with a cancer survivor who had been free of kidney cancer for seven years, and generously allowed a 3D print to be made from his files. REshape, working with a 3D printing team who enthusiastically supported their cause, was able to provide the information to make some fantastic 3D prints demonstrating the tumors in bright red. The models were produced on an Ultimaker 3D printer.
The REshape team is turning this into a full-fledged project, using models to educate patients on cardiovascular issues. They are also speaking with other current patients regarding having 3D printed models made from their MRIs, and offering this service to those who wish to participate, as well as passing the models on for further consultations. Response to the program was very affirmative, as was that of the families once they saw the enthusiasm on the part of patients who wanted to use the visual aids for a chance at having the glimpse ‘inside.’
The team at REshape is also documenting the experimental program and its progress with an article regarding the process in a peer-reviewed journal. Have you experienced health issues where it would have helped to look at a model similar to the 3D printed ones in this article? Tell us your thoughts in the REshape Center’s 3D Printed Models forum over at 3DPB.com.
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.
Print Services
Upload your 3D Models and get them printed quickly and efficiently.
You May Also Like
Metal Powder Supplier Elementum 3D Added to $46B Air Force Contract
Elementum 3D, a Colorado-based developer and supplier of metal powders used in additive manufacturing (AM), announced that the company has been added to the vendors list in the fourth on-ramp...
Ursa Major Lands $28.6M AFRL Deal for 3D Printed Draper Engine Flight Demo
The US Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL’s) Rocket Propulsion Division at Edwards Air Force Base has awarded a $28.6 million contract to Ursa Major for follow-on work related to the...
3D Printing Financials: Rocket Lab’s Record-Breaking Year and Over 20 Launches Coming in 2025
Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) closed 2024 with its best year yet. The company launched more rockets, signed more contracts, and expanded deeper into spacecraft and satellite production than ever before....
US Air Force Taps Beehive to Study 3D Printed Jet Engines
Propulsion 3D printing firm Beehive Industries secured a contract from the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center through SOSSEC. SOSSEC is a company that manages Other Transactions Authority (OTA)...