3D printing technology allows physicians, researchers, and medical device product developers to iterate, create, and test existing and new medical devices in anatomic models that mimic actual anatomy and pathology. In addition to medical student, patient, and physician education, the 3D printing technology in the Visible Heart Laboratories supports medical device research across a variety of coronary medical device applications. By practicing complex surgeries with 3D printed anatomic models, physicians can determine the best surgical approach for each individual patient, which can lead to better patient outcomes, reduced time in surgery, and cost savings for hospitals and healthcare facilities. 3D printed anatomic models are especially valuable to physicians when preparing for complex cases or in pediatric cases where the models can be scaled to a size where it is easier for physicians to examine the anatomy. With these models, the medical team can easily describe treatment and surgical options with patients, leading to better patient outcomes. Anatomic models can reflect an individual patient’s demographics, comorbidities, or anatomic details like the accumulation of plaque in an artery or the presence of tumors. In addition to student education, physicians at the M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center utilize 3D printing technology to educate patients with anatomic models that represent a patient’s actual anatomy and pathology. Paul Iaizzo, professor Visible Heart Laboratories, University of Minnesota Medical School. “The Visible Heart Laboratories are driven to train the next generation of medical device developers and provide them with the abilities to 3D print prototypes and/or virtually placed devices within real heart anatomies, as today these are considered essential skills,” said Dr. The Visible Heart Laboratories also are committed to providing outreach education about cardiac anatomy and device therapy to students from middle school age to clinical cardiologists. These attributes are especially important to the education, research and product development conducted in the Visible Heart Laboratories.ĭuring their education, all University of Minnesota medical students pass through the Visible Heart Laboratories to learn about the benefits of 3D printing technology and how anatomic models can assist them in their future practice. Models can be punctured, sutured, cut, and physically manipulated like actual human tissue. ![]() Stratasys’ Digital Anatomy 3D printers produce anatomic models that mimic the actual feel, responsiveness, and biomechanics of human anatomy. Credit: U of M Medical School | Visible Heart Laboratories ![]() Students look at a 3D printed anatomic model in the University of Minnesota Visible Heart Laboratories.
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