[Image from Jagiellonian University Medical College]
5. Liver model made with 3D printing revolutionizes medicine
A Jagiellonian University student created an affordable 3D printed model of the liver to make complicated surgeries a little easier.
The models, created by Jan Witowski, are created using images from CT or MRI scans and costs only 100 to 120 Euros to make. They are designed to determine where certain anatomical structures are in the liver and single them out using segmentation.
A 3D printer creates the plastic parts of the inside of the liver and clear silicone is poured over the top to create a transparent liver that can be used for surgery preparation or to educate patients. Witowski also suggests that it is useful for modernization and personalization of any treatment process, but hopes to further develop this project for other applications.
“At the moment, we’re conducting research that will assess the clinical importance of applying our models,” said Witowski in a press release. “Besides, we’ve started cooperation with other hospital units in Kraków and for several weeks have been printing models of aneurysms and hearts. Foreign medical centres have also showed their interest in such collaboration: for instance, we’re in contact with surgeons from Australia and the U.S. Let me also add that our plans aren’t limited to 3D printing – we’ll test how other state-of-the-art technologies can be used to improve the treatment process and change patients’ life’s for the better.”
