MSc Medical Visualisation & Human Anatomy students and graduates have explored the medical, clinical and educational applications of 3D printing extensively over the years. One of our very first graduates, Daniel Crawford, founded Axial 3D - an innovative company that specialises in 3D printing for individualised patient care, with a FDA approved solution. Daniel was the University of Glasgow World Changing Alumni winner in 2023. 3D printing for pre-operative planning has been further explored by other students on the MSc, such as surgeon Marta Madurska's work with a 3D printed liver model.
Other projects have explored novel development in 3D printing, as detailed below.
Lisa Jane Ferrie - The Use of 3D Printing and Injection Moulding to create a valid Low-Cost Perfused Renal Malignancy Model for Training of Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy
This project aimed to improve the accessibility and availability of surgical training in robot-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN) by producing and evaluating a low-cost training model of a vascularised kidney model with a T1b renal carcinoma. User testing has demonstrated visual and tactile anatomical accuracy of the different structured and showed promises to support surgical planning and training. The final cost of the prototype was £1.72 for single-use materials and £4.02 in total.
See more in this BBC News clip.
Haley Fig Barber - 3D printed model for Breast Self-Examination
This MSc project produced a 3D printed breast model. The feasibility of using 3D printed moulds, constructed from clinical data, was explored to create a haptically-accurate breast model. With breast cancer being the leading type of cancer among women worldwide and a rise in cases of women in Low-income countries, it was sought to develop a Breast Self-Examination (BSE) tool for educating and empowering women about their breast health.
The model contains a muscle, adipose, and mammary layer (differing in silicone densities). One T2 tumour is embedded in the model which is set upon a base containing rib structures. The entire structures is encapsulated in a silicone skin layer.
Kate MacDiarmid - Development of a realistic, adjustable-density breast phantom with 3D printing for use as an ultrasound training tool
This MSc project aimed to create realistic-looking breast tissue training simulations (“phantoms”) with diverse skin tones that also demonstrated different levels of breast density under ultrasound. Two phantoms were developed, one in a light-medium skin tone with a higher density, and one with a dark skin tone and lower density. Only low-cost materials and basic equipment were used in construction, making creation and distribution of the phantoms accessible. The phantoms were critically evaluated and contrasted by participants with various life science backgrounds, all of whom found the phantoms to be useful training tools and the presence of diverse skin tones to be an important addition.