3D printing of fetal heart using 3D ultrasound imaging data

Abstract

Conventional two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonography is the gold standard for diagnosing congenital heart disease (CHD). However, characterization of complex CHD may be limited by 2D imaging methods that lack crucial spatial information, as these images are generated as individual 'slices' without orientation and with a limited field of view lacking depth, and therefore they are not ideal for three-dimensional (3D) modeling and printing. While approximately 90% of 3D printed models of the cardiovascular system are derived from computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 1 , these modalities are used sparingly in clinical practice. Advances in 3D and four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound have expanded the capabilities for assessing the fetal heart and have paved the way for creating ultrasound-derived 3D printed models.Medical 3D printing applications of 3D ultrasound-derived imaging data have been demonstrated for cardiac models of valvular and septal CHD 2 . Olivieri et al. verified the accuracy of models created from 3D ultrasound data of CHD patients 3 . Currently, while 3D ultrasound-derived 3D prints have been used to produce physical models of whole fetuses 4 and for surgical rehearsal prior to fetoscopic repair of spina bifida 5 , the majority of prints have been created for fetal structures with a rest period, such as the face or the back. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of 3D printing of a small fast-moving fetal anatomical structure without a rest period, i.e. the fetal heart, using only 3D ultrasound data.To create a 3D model of a fetal heart, 3D fetal ultrasound data were obtained from a Voluson E10 ultrasound machine (GE Healthcare, Chicago, IL, USA).

Three‐dimensional printed multicolor normal and abnormal fetal hearts based on ultrasound imaging data

“…In most of these cases, the patients have been children or adults, and only the defective part of the heart was modeled using 3D printing 2-4 . Chen et al reported a case in which 3D printing was used to model a complete normal fetal heart, which demonstrated the feasibility of 3D printing of a small fast-moving fetal anatomical structure without a rest period, based only on 3D ultrasound imaging data 5 . Here, we present two 3D printed multicolor fetal heart models, one of a normal heart and the other of a heart with tetralogy of Fallot, demonstrating the technical feasibility of 3D modeling and 3D printing of normal and abnormal fetal hearts based on ultrasound imaging data.…”

3D prints from ultrasound volumes

“…Combinations of prenatal volume data from US imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have also been used. 3D printing using volume US data taken from commercially available US systems was reported only very recently. Advances in consumer electronics and the availability of 3D printing services have now made 3D printing an affordable reality.…”

Three-Dimensional Printing of Fetal Models of Congenital Heart Disease Derived From Microfocus Computed Tomography: A Case Series

“…Three-dimensional (3D) printing in CHD is gaining increasing interest in the clinical and bioengineering communities alike, considering the breath of its applications. These include medical education, surgical, and catheter-based procedural individualized planning, and manufacturing research for device innovation (13)(14)(15)(16). At present, applications of 3D printing in fetal cardiology are limited, yet the technique is appealing as precise visualization of small structures is essential to achieve a correct diagnosis, even in a very early in pregnancy.…”