3D printed medical models allow doctors to practice surgeries in a no-risk setting, on a model closely approximating the human body. Although helpful, early 3D printed models were only printed in hard materials and lacked the realism, haptic feedback, and functionality to enable practice in a laboratory setting.
Now that 3D printing technology is more advanced and these medical models can be printed in multiple materials in a single build, the opportunities for surgical training and education have exponentially expanded.
The Hospital for Sick Children, also known as SickKids, is a major pediatric hospital located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The hospital invested in a 3D printer capable of printing flexible models so that they can print 3D printed pediatric heart models in-house.
As of late, SickKids doctors have been practicing some very complex surgeries such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome. These are tough operations to do, involving complex three-dimensional geometry using patches, and trainees can learn on 3D printed models instead of learning on a baby. Patient mortality rate for this procedure at SickKids is significantly lower than average, and Dr. Glen Van Arsdell, head of cardiovascular surgery, believes this is because doctors have more of an opportunity to practice the surgery over and over again.
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