Applications of 3D Printing Technology in Healthcare

This paper presents the outcomes of the project for applications of 3D printing technology in healthcare. The anatomical 3D modelling was carried out, and the 3D digital anatomical models were developed from the CT scan medical images, through medical images acquisition, segmentation, preparation, 3D printing and post-processing processes. Furthermore, the 3D digital models were converted into 3D physical models through Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing technologies. The segmentation and preparation processes were performed by employing 3D Slicer V5.8.0 and Meshmixer Autodesk V3.5software, respectively. The 3D digital models were prepared for printing using GrabCAD print V1.88 and Preform V3.36.0 software for FDM and SLA 3D printing technologies, respectively. During the models’ printing preparations, the printing parameters’ settings were performed, and the G-Codes were generated, which then sent to the printers. The printed models are to be used for training and research at University of Namibia. In addition to manual segmentation, AI-based segmentation which is an automated segmentation was also performed, and the models generated from the two segmentation methods were compared.