Close to Life 3D Printed Organ Models for Surgery Training

Japan's Fasotec has come up with a 'Biotexture Wet Model' of human organs created by scanning a real organ in minute detail and creating molds on a 3D printer, which is then injected with gel-type synthetic resin to give it a wet, lifelike feeling in the surgeon's hands. Each model is designed to exactly mimic the texture and weight of a real organ so it can react to the surgical knife in exactly the same way. This development will help in surgery training and medical equipment-testing. Tomohiro Kinoshita of creator Fasotec said, "With the wet model, doctors can experience the softness of organs and see them bleed. We aim to help doctors improve their skills with the models."

Maki Sugimoto, a medical doctor who has tried samples, said, "The wet models are almost too realistic. Seen without their context it would be easy to mistake them for the real thing. The touch is similar to that of the real liver. I suppose that not only young, inexperienced doctors but also experienced doctors can perform a better operation if they can have a rehearsal first."

Toshiaki Morikawa, a medical doctor at Jikei University Hospital in Tokyo, said, "The current models are too simple and details of anatomy are not accurately reflected. But this is obviously superior as it's produced precisely and is very close to the living organ in quality. Considering future progress in life sciences, I think it is an urgent and significant theme that this outstanding technology should be modified for application to biology."

Fasotec plans to expand sales overseas and has reportedly received enquiries from other Asian countries.

Source-Medindia