UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

3D printing from microfocus computed tomography (micro-CT) in human specimens: education and future implications

Shelmerdine, SC; Simcock, IC; Hutchinson, JC; Aughwane, R; Melbourne, A; Nikitichev, DI; Ong, J-L; ... Arthurs, OJ; + view all (2018) 3D printing from microfocus computed tomography (micro-CT) in human specimens: education and future implications. British Journal of Radiology , 91 (1088) , Article 20180306. 10.1259/bjr.20180306. Green open access

[thumbnail of Shelmerdine_bjr.20180306.pdf]
Preview
Text
Shelmerdine_bjr.20180306.pdf - Published Version

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

Microfocus computed tomography (micro-CT) is an imaging method that provides three dimensional (3D) digital datasets with comparable resolution to light microscopy. Although it has traditionally been used for non-destructive testing in engineering, aerospace industries and in preclinical animal studies, new applications are rapidly becoming available in the clinical setting including post-mortem fetal imaging and pathological specimen analysis. Printing three dimensional models from imaging datasets for educational purposes is well established in the medical literature, but typically using low resolution (0.7 mm voxel size) data acquired from computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) examinations. With higher resolution imaging (voxel sizes below 1 micron, <0.001mm) at micro-CT, smaller structures can be better characterised, and datasets post-processed to create accurate anatomical models for review and handling. In this review, we provide examples of how 3D printing of micro-CT imaged specimens can provide insight into craniofacial surgical applications, developmental cardiac anatomy, placental imaging, archaeological remains and high resolution bone imaging. We conclude with other potential future usages of this emerging technique.

Type: Article
Title: 3D printing from microfocus computed tomography (micro-CT) in human specimens: education and future implications
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20180306
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1259/bjr.20180306
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: micro CT, printing, prototype, education, illustration, bone
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Cardiovascular Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Cardiovascular Science > Childrens Cardiovascular Disease
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL EGA Institute for Womens Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL EGA Institute for Womens Health > Maternal and Fetal Medicine
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Developmental Biology and Cancer Dept
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Developmental Neurosciences Dept
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Population, Policy and Practice Dept
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Mechanical Engineering
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Med Phys and Biomedical Eng
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10047991
Downloads since deposit
271Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item