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| A 3D Printed Heart | Image Credit:Courtesy of Materialise |
The cardiologists of Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital have successfully integrated CT(Computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) imaging techniques to produce a three-dimensional anatomic model of a patient’s heart. The hree-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) is used for printing this hybrid 3D model of a patient’s heart. When this 3D heat printing the MRI is superior to other imaging techniques for measuring the interior of the heart, including the right and left ventricles or main chambers of the heart, as well as the heart’s muscular tissue. The CT enhances visualization of the outside anatomy of the heart.
According to Mr.Vettukattil who works for three- and four-dimensional echocardiography, “This is a huge leap for individualized medicine in cardiology and congenital heart disease. The technology could be beneficial to cardiologists and surgeons. The model will promote better diagnostic capability and improved interventional and surgical planning, which will help determine whether a condition can be treated via transcatheter route or if it requires surgery”
The Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital team were used specialized software to register images from the CT and MRI modalities to selectively integrate data sets to produce an accurate anatomic model of the heart. In future this more detailed and anatomically accurate 3D renderings and printed models of heart will change the cardiology medicine area.