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Medical Modelling

Medical Modeling Corporation produces a wide range of physical models of internal biologic data derived from imaging modalities such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assist surgeons in preparing for especially complex operations, specifically craniofacial reconstruction.

 

	Customers include DesignMed Medical Modeling Theken Surgical

Problem
Dr. John Teichgraeber is the Associate Professor of Surgery for the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Division of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Dr. Teichgraeber was searching for a way to more thoroughly prepare for surgery on his young patients by using 3D models as a visual aid. One such case was a young child, nine months old, who suffered from craniosynostosis, a condition where the sutures, or soft spots, of a baby’s skull prematurely close, restricting the normal expansion of the brain within the child’s skull.

The solution:
With the aid of the ZCorp System, Medical Modeling Corp. was able to provide a realistic 3D model for the doctor in less than four hours and at about one third the cost of alternative rapid prototyping methods. Using these models in the surgery planning process produced a better patient experience and reduced costs.

The result

Better Surgical Preparation: The 3D surgical model acted as a visualization tool providing the surgeon with a better understanding of the child’s condition, allowing more effective planning.

Reduced Surgery Time. The use of the 3D model as a planning tool allowed the surgeon to decrease the operation time from four hours to three hours, a 25% improvement.

Reduced Cost to the Patient. The model achieved well over 300% ROI, due to time reduction in the Operating Room which resulted in reduced patient costs.