A glimpse of an unborn child

Among the innovative 3Dprinting applications on display on Sunday was an application — designed by GE Healthcare, a subsidiary of General Electric — that creates 3D models of unborn babies.

“We generate the (proper) file format with an ultrasound,” explained Hani Youssef, general manager for women’s healthcare ultrasound at GE Healthcare systems. “It’s very useful, because the mother will be able to have an idea what the baby looks like. Whatever the ultrasound image we have on the system, it can be printed.”

Depending on the 3D printer available, a 3D-model of a baby can be generated anywhere from two hours to a matter of days, Youssef added. Aside from providing soon-to-be mothers with a memento of their unborn child, Youssef noted that such models might also be useful to doctors.

“There are a lot of studies going on right now to find the clinical benefits (of such models),” he said. “For example, in cases of congenital anomaly in the face structure, such as a cleft lip or palette, it can give an idea to the physician what kind of anomaly is there and they can then operate from there. It can also be used to help a surgeon prepare to operate in cases of cardiac anomalies.”