Modeling of Brain Vessel From MR Images and 3D Printing

Abstract

Designers and engineers use additive manufacturing technology to accelerate the design process, to make designs of products and to develop concepts. Freedom in design, obtaining the complicated parts with cheapest cost, not needed for the tools, fixtures and coolants, minimum waste, being environment friendly and getting the final product at one time without using a number of steps of the traditional manufacturing methods are the most important advantages. The 3D model of the brain vessel was exported from Mimics software by processing of MR (Magnetic Resonance) images which is commonly used in soft tissue imaging and was printed in a 3D printing machine. This model is really important not only to make the surgeons understand the complex anatomic structure of the cerebral vessel but also to study and produce treatment methods for brain tumors, which are difficult to locate, before and after the operation. At the same time, in laboratory applications in the field of medicine and health sciences, the students has the opportunity to examine the anatomy easily and to develop appropriate treatment strategy in the model which is taken from an actual patient anatomy.