3D Modeling and Printing of CT Scans, Ultrasound Images and MRI Scans

One of our most important collaborations is with Ananke Project.

The Ananke research group was founded with the aim of revolutionizing the surgical paradigm that has defined orthopedic trauma surgery to date. Its members are experienced professionals from orthopedic trauma surgery, experimental biology, engineering, anthroposophy, art, and anatomical and mechanical drawing. The research group is continually engaged in inventing devices for surgery (and already holds international patents for surgical instruments and implants). Although it favors entirely new innovations, it has also developed utility models where needed.

Among the many applications requiring our contribution (printing prototypes of surgical instruments, 3D scanning, etc.), the most fascinating and unexplored was the rapid prototyping of computed tomography (CT) scans, ultrasound images and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of certain types of fractures, so that researchers could assess the best way to reduce them.

After carefully analyzing and researching possible ways to convert files exported by the machines in the radiology department, we managed to obtain an .stl file compatible with our 3D printers.

Thanks to this work, we can now offer an additional, highly sought-after prototyping service specifically for the medical field: enabling doctors to use printed bone models to find the precise ideal position and orientation for plates and to explain the surgical procedure to patients.