Fig 1.
From medical image to 3D print workflow.
After the anatomical structure has been segmented (a), the resulting surface needs to be refined (b) to remove image artefacts, after which it can be 3D printed (c).
Table 1.
Overview of the most important 3D printing technologies with medical applications: Extrusion printing, photopolymerisation, and powder binding.
Fig 2.
3D printed anatomical models generated from medical imaging data using 3D Slicer and Seg3D.
Part of the ribcage (a), the liver (b), and the right lung (c).
Table 2.
Quantification of print accuracy based on comparing size of anatomical landmarks between computer model and 3D print.
Fig 3.
Ribs phantom as a clinical training tool for ultrasound guided kidney biopsy.
a) 3D print of the ribs model with a chicken breast and biopsy needle b) Ultrasound scan of the model immersed in water.
Table 3.
Overview of freeware software with segmentation tools applicable to any part of the body.