ORYX & Phoenix Children's Hospital - 3D Printing and Your Child’s Health
PCH began using Oryx Additive postprocessing technology (scaWaterjet) alongside their 3D color printer (Stratasys J55) to streamline timely deliverables to their patients. This required an acceleration to the process of “excavating” and cleaning the 3D models from their native support structures as printed.
The hospital provides these technologies to communicate unique patient anatomy, such as the heart, to cardiac patients and their families. Complex radiology images make it difficult to illustrate the specific details, and areas of concern on unique anatomy. These full color, clean 3D models are a stunning and highly visual method to communicate the complete “heart defect” issues and review procedures, interventions, and conduct general planning.
Take a look at the PCH Cardiac 3D Print Lab and see for yourself what amazing and innovative advancements the group is performing with their patients.
We spoke with Jackqueline Le from PCH who shared her thoughts with us on just how easy it is to work with Oryx Additive and the scaWaterjet systems.
“Oryx has been a great company to work with as they have taken our suggestions and specific
requirements to mind, adjusting the scaWaterjet parameters to meet our needs and assisting us
maximize our success. As we print organic bodies that oftentimes have small features and fine
details, Oryx has worked with us to adjust the pressure settings to ensure we may operate with
bulk removal quickly, and support fine details on these sometimes fragile and challenging models.
Additionally, Oryx has taken our feedback seriously and have on a timely basis, implemented
many of our requests. Because of their expertise and support, the 3D Print Lab here at Phoenix
Children’s is able to utilize our Stratasys J55 printer to the fullest of its potential to aid our doctors
in helping our patients”.
Jackqueline explained the complete workflow for us on how PCH provides final models:
- The patient receives a cardiac MRI scan.
- That MRI image is then imported into a medical imaging software program (such as geomagics) to convert that file into a 3D model file to print.
- The raw print model is then placed into the scaWaterjet for support removal, which reveals the model on the right - pictured above.
During this process all muscle, bone, tumor, or other structures are separated by colors, to better illustrate details during a patient consultation.
Other ways the hospital is using additive:
- The facility generates 3D models for ears, skeletal structures, blood vessels, medical devices, and brains, in addition to the cardiac applications above.
- PCH also provides a program allowing parents to take home their Childs unique model after surgery or MRI scan via the “Heart for your Home” program through the Emily Center.
Read more about PCH and how they provide hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and their families.
Oryx Additive believes they can help engineers, manufacturers, and health care providers like Phoenix Children’s Hospital, create cost-effective solutions for maximizing your 3D Printer thruput.
Learn more about the vision of Oryx Additive here.
