Advanced visualization in radiology is instrumental in diagnosis and communication with referring clinicians, there is a need to render DICOM images as 3D printed models capable of providing both tactile feedback and tangible depth… information about anatomic and pathologic states. 3D printed models, already entrenched in the nonmedical sciences, are rapidly being embraced in medicine as well as in the lay community. Incorporating 3D printing from images generated and interpreted by radiologists presents particular challenges, including training, materials and equipment, and guidelines. The overall costs of a 3D printing laboratory must be balanced by the clinical benefits. It is expected that the number of 3D-printed models generated from DICOM images for planning interventions and fabricating implants will grow exponentially. Radiologists should at a minimum be familiar with 3D printing as it relates to their field, including types of 3D printing technologies and materials used to create 3D-printed anatomic models, published applications of models to date, and clinical benefits in radiology.

Medical Applications of 3D Printing – by Carsten Engel

Carsten Engel graduated at the University of Brussels (ULB) as a biomedical engineer and currently works as a researcher at SIRRIS (Collective Centre of the Belgian Technology Industry) which has the biggest European Additive Manufacturing machine parc. His main work involves R&D projects in the field of biomedical and aerospace applications. He worked on specific cases (for example the total jaw replacement in Titanium fully patient-custom) in order to help surgeons in the field of biomedical 3D Printing using various biocompatible materials. He is currently finishing a thesis for his MBA where the topic involves the strategic positioning & the viability of a startup company in the field of metal Additive Manufacturing — 3D Printing for the aerospace sector.