As usual, inventive minds are developing innovative uses for 3D printing. This time European medical technicians developed an “anatomically correct 3D rapid prototyping model” of a patient’s heart in an STL file. They then used a 3D printer (Zcorp 510) to punch out the model. Why do this? Because they were then able to easily plan a “resection of a left ventricular aneurysm and right ventricular tumor”. The 3D printed model provided a more easy method for detailed planning than visualizing the cardiac structures on 2D screens – and of course it also did not involve opening up the patient!
3D Printing Assists Cardiac Procedure
