Introduction Three-dimensional (3D) printed anatomic models and guides designed from volumetric medical imaging data are used clinically to provide increased comprehension of anatomy, more exact pathology evaluation, and more precise surgical intervention. Historically, obtaining a 3D printed patient-specific anatomic model…
Introduction Three-dimensional (3D) printing, also known as additive manufacturing or rapid prototyping, originated in the 1980s and encompasses various processes that create physical 3D objects by fabricating them layer by layer from a digital file. , Whether the 3D printed…
Introduction The process of creating a physical three-dimensional (3D) printed model from medical imaging data is complicated and involves numerous steps. In order for a patient-specific anatomic model to be suitable for 3D printing, segmented anatomical regions of interest must…
Introduction In medical imaging, a three-dimensional (3D) image, or volume, is often acquired by stacking up a series of two-dimensional (2D) slice images. Just as 2D images are made up of pixels, 3D volumes such as computed tomography (CT) or…
Medical imaging technologies, which allow us to “see into” and understand living systems, play a significant role in biology and medicine. The X-ray has paved the way for many high-tech medical imaging technologies that are used today including computed tomography…
Introduction Three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies are now entering their fourth decade of use and many medical applications now are very well established and optimized. Despite this, many in the medical field are surprised to hear that 3D printing is not…