Dr. Justin Ryan, a computer imaging and animation master-turned-biomedical engineer, is the director of the Helen and Will Webster Foundation 3D Innovations (3DI) Lab at Rady Children’s Health San Diego. Dr. Ryan is recognized for advancing the use of 3D printing, virtual reality, and advanced visualization technologies in pediatric medicine. He serves as Co-Chair of DICOM Working Group 17, helping modernize the DICOM standard to support 3D visualization, printing, and extended reality applications in healthcare. He serves on the leadership group for the Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA) 3D Printing Special Interest Group, where he has contributed to widely adopted guidelines for quality assurance, clinical appropriateness, and best practices in medical 3D printing.
Today, 3D modeling and printing technology can make a dramatic impact — even shortening some operations by 30-90 minutes. Looking ahead, that reduction will only grow as the technology is further integrated and becomes more advanced.