3D printed patient-specific bone models for anatomy education from medical imaging

Abstract

Evolution of 3D printing from medical image datasets are escalating and has widespread in healthcare applications such as anatomical models, surgical guides, and customized implants. In 3D printing, solid objects are fabricated by the frequently added the thin layers of material as per the digital model. This paper demonstrates the fabrication of 3D printed patient-specific bone models of leg and ankle foot from Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files. Processing of DICOM file is prepared by D2P (DICOM to PRINT) software and physical models are produced by Stratasys uPrint 3D printer. This 3D printed anatomical model eliminates the requirement of actual human bones, significance of preservation and mistakes in assembly of bones. The results of the study not only encourage education, surgical planning and validating medical devices but stimulate exciting innovations.