Anatomical Models Get Personal

For many years, doctors have used anatomical models to explain injuries, conditions, and procedures to their patients.  Now, thanks to innovations in 3D printing, an increasing number of leading hospitals, like Overlook Medical Center, are taking anatomical models to a new level by creating exact replicas of a patient’s body part. 

“Creating patient-specific anatomical models can assist physicians and surgeons with patient consultations as well as pre-surgical planning,” explains Austin Murphy, director, facilities and clinical engineering for Atlantic Health System.  “Orthopedic surgeons can replicate joints; cardiac surgeons can replicate heart valves.  There are many specialty areas that can benefit from this.”

According to Austin, MRI and CT scans can be transmitted from any Atlantic Health System hospital directly into a computer-aided design workstation, which formats the image to a 3D printer housed at Overlook.  The printer then deposits and melts thin layers of plastic over the course of 4-5 hours, resulting in an exact replica of a patient’s body part.

One of the first to embrace the benefits of Overlook’s new 3D printer, was John Erickson, M.D., who recently joined Atlantic Medical Group Orthopedics in New Providence.

“It was my first week with the practice and I was getting an introduction to Overlook, when I learned about the 3D printer,” says Dr. Erickson, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand procedures.  “I immediately wanted to try it, so I worked with Austin and Dan, one of the biomedical engineers, to replicate the scapula of a patient with compromised bone quality due to arthritis.

“The model was created in one day and I was impressed with its quality.  I could physically touch the bones and plan where to place a specific wire prior to surgery.  It will be an excellent tool to show the patient what can be done to repair the shoulder.

“There are several companies making 3D patient-specific models, Dr. Erickson adds.  “Having this capability right here at Overlook is not only convenient, but it represents a potential cost-savings to the health system.  I’m excited to put this to good use!”

“Our biomedical equipment technicians are continually looking for ways to assist our caregivers,” remarks Murphy. “Sometimes that means innovating and patenting helpful new gadgets; and other times it means acquiring and testing useful technologies – such as 3D printing – which can be utilized by multiple specialties throughout our system hospitals.”

Overlook’s 3D printer was underwritten by proceeds from an endowment created by an anonymous Overlook Foundation donor.