Anatomy Modeling

BIO 295 (6 Week Course/1 credit hour)

Today’s anatomy students have little reference beyond the images in textbooks. 3D printing opens a world of possibilities for rapidly modeling a part of the human body that can be held in the palm of one’s hand in a matter of hours. 3D printing and modeling can also provide future medical technicians the skills necessary to print prosthetic body parts and perhaps someday functional replacement organs. 3D printed anatomic models provide students an intimate relationship with the anatomy of the human body and convey skills necessary to interact and operate on it.

Cadaver models are increasingly expensive and difficult to use given certain ethical restraints, so they are not ideal, especially for undergraduate anatomy training. 3D printing provides for infinitely replicable models with virtually no ethical restraints. Furthermore, introducing medical students to the discipline of 3D printing will leave them better prepared for a future where 3D printing and precise rapid prototyping is a critical element of modern medicine.

Learning Objectives:

Students will learn and practice 3D printing safety techniques
Students will learn to model objects and body parts with 3D modeling software
Students will learn to work with medical data such as MRI files to model anatomy
Students will research and learn about practical applications of 3D printing in modern medicine
Students will augment their knowledge of anatomy with tangible models.