Everybody is talking about 3D printing and how this technology is changing the medical industry. Now, with the help of open source software tools and a couple of common desktop 3D printers, you could take your CT scan (the digital data, not hard copies) and print your own 3D model of your head or your arm – whatever you want.
Even though it might cost you a decent amount for the copy and for shipping, legally (with the HIPAA Privacy Rule) you can always get a copy of your health records. If you ask a healthcare provider for a copy of your CT scan, they must give it to you within 30 days. Unfortunately, it’s probably too late to hand out 3D prints of your body parts as holiday presents.
Luis Ibáñez, a software engineer at Google, shared about this fun new project with Make: magazine and has taken it upon himself to teach all of you how do to this by breaking down the process into 13 steps with helpful images. (The whole 42nd issue of the magazine is about 3D printing.”
When Investment Rhymes with Canada
Canada has a proud history of achievement in the areas of science and technology, and the field of biomanufacturing and life sciences is no exception.
The most commonly used open source software applications for processing medical images are OsiriX and 3D Slicer. But unlike OsiriX (which is only available in Mac), Slicer can also be used with Windows or Linux, so Ibáñez uses this software for the demonstration.
Check out the step-by-step instructions here.
