Thomas Jefferson University and its affiliated hospital in Philadelphia boasts advanced healthcare technology. To bring students closer to real-world medical environments, Dr. Robert Pugliese and Dr. Bon Ku integrated 3D printing equipment into the university's health design lab.
After evaluating the quality of 3D printers , they chose to use Ultimaker . To develop students' creativity and problem-solving skills, Ultimakers ' 3D printers open new opportunities for collaboration between students and clinicians, and bring more possibilities for innovative education. In this lab, students and radiologists work together to create precise anatomical models, giving students the opportunity to participate in ongoing treatment cases.
The laboratory delves into various medical and educational applications, from ENT surgery to high-risk obstetrics, cardiology, ultrasound training, plastic surgery, and radiology. Initially, they used the Ultimaker 2+ Extended single-nozzle system; later, they discovered the dual-nozzle Ultimaker 3 , which utilizes PVA water-soluble support for greater precision and speed; subsequently, they introduced the Ultimaker S5 . To date, they have 14 Ultimaker 3D printers , with the Ultimaker S5 contributing to the speed and efficiency of surgical model creation.
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These 3D-printed anatomical models not only help in learning anatomy and medical data, segmenting areas, and mastering the 3D printing process, but most importantly, they offer benefits for clinical trials. Streamlining laboratory workflows frees up more time for surgeons preparing procedures. "We take images from patient scans and then convert them into 3D-printed models within minutes. Using a 3D printer , the models can be delivered to surgeons within a day," said Dr. Robert.
Surgeons can use these physical models to simulate potential situations, providing better ways to handle preoperative planning; this is crucial for complex and high-risk cases, as it can clearly indicate the location of tissues and bones that are difficult to visualize in 2D scans.
One case involved a complex cesarean section, during which they needed to print a 3D model to precisely study the patient's uterine vascular system in order to understand which fibroids to avoid before making the incision, ensuring that the patient's blood loss and risks were minimized.
Dr. Amy Mackey, Associate Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the hospital, pointed out that these models printed using Ultimaker 3D are also particularly useful for patient education. "When patients see these models, they are amazed and ask a lot of questions, which helps them understand the complexity of the case. These models really help to give them a physical concept and make communication smoother."
The radiology department at the hospital also found 3D printing very useful, especially when working with students and residents. "As a radiologist who is exposed to many new technologies, I am really happy to show 3D printing to colleagues, students and residents because many people don't know that this incredible tool is readily available," emphasized Dr. Philip Lim, head of the radiology department.
Dr. Philip stated that working with 3D printed models allows students to gain a deeper understanding of anatomical structures and how patients undergo surgery. It brings understanding and confidence to patients, demonstrating that their doctors are making efforts to better understand these complex cases before surgery.
Ultimaker 3D printers provide valuable services to 16 systems within Jefferson Hospital, offering mobility and saving time during the most critical phases of patient care. Through four Ultimaker S5 3D printers in the laboratory, healthcare can save time, reduce assembly and post-processing, and easily print large, complete anatomical models.
As 3D printing gains popularity in hospitals, it will continue to benefit students, residents, and physicians in their future clinical careers. A range of medical applications at Jefferson Hospital demonstrate the integration of the Ultimaker 3D printer into the health design lab. Dr. Validator, " 3D printing is simple, economical, efficient, and inspires my team to try new things. We chose the Ultimaker S5 because it is reliable and easy to use, and we hope to add more Ultimaker 3D printers to our lab in the future."
The application of Ultimaker 3D printers in the medical field is expanding. As mentioned in a previous article, medical-specific software is also being integrated with Ultimaker ; (Further reading: Ultimaker and 3D anatomy software: Creating a new era in clinical medicine! ) We believe that the development of 3D printing technology in various fields will lead humanity to a better future. ( Original link )
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