ULTRASOUND HEART VIEWS
Educational heart models
In collaboration with Dr. Ernest Fischer, Dr. Sebastian Ochoa, Georgetown University School of Medicine, et al.
We are using 3D printing as a tool for teaching and understanding heart ultrasonography. Ultrasounds use high frequency sound waves to create high resolution images of nearby structures. The resulting ultrasound image is a 2D/4D display of key anatomical structures. There are 4 classical views of the heart which are achieved using an ultrasound--we adapted digital models to highlight these views/structures.
When I was first approached to collaborate in the effort, I questioned what value I had as an Architect to offer in the collaboration. While my anatomical sense was limited, I recognized that I had a lot to offer in terms of visualization and digital fabrication. Once again, architectural principles and methods of representation (sections, perspectives) proved to be invaluable to achieving our goals.
Beyond contributing to technical developments, I also developed ideas for different puzzles and tools, which serve as educational models in the classroom.
Similar to my experience working on trachea stents, I was introduced to key biological processes and was eventually able to have full appreciation for the dynamics of the heart. We were able to adapt an existing model to capture specific anatomical views.
The ultrasound captures a real time image, making it challenging to find the best viewing angle. The printed model offers a static view of these sections.
3D printed heart and corresponding ultrasound view
A 3-Axis Calibrated Heart Stand was created to simulate the orientation of the heart inside of the body.
Ochoa, S. , Segal, J. , Garcia, N. and Fischer, E. A. (2018), Three‐Dimensional Printed Cardiac Models for Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Instruction. J Ultrasound Med. . doi:10.1002/jum.14818
Ernest Fischer, Sebastian Ochoa, Jonathan Segal, Noah Garcia., A Novel Way of Teaching Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Using 3D-Printed Heart Models: A pilot Study, ACP Internal Medicine Meeting and Exhibition, Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 2018