Converting ultrasound images into 3D printed models

Innermost Secrets is a private specialist women’s health and fertility clinic in Cardiff, Wales, that provides private pregnancy ultrasound scans. The advent of new 3D and 4D scan technology allows pregnant women and their families to see real-time 3D pictures of their unborn babies. Although various keepsakes are available such as color photographs and movies recorded onto a DVD, none capture the full 3D image.

3D print, Mcor

Bryan Beattie, Director of Innermost Secrets and Consultant in Fetal Medicine commissioned a software development project to turn the non proprietary 3D volume files from the ultrasound scanner into commercial 3D files that could then be output to sub surface lasers, CNC drilling machines, and other industry standard 3D printing equipment.

Beattie joined forces with Mcor Technologies Ltd to produce the first ever eco-friendly 3D cameo imprints of an unborn baby using the Matrix 300 3D printer. “We were looking for a cost effective, eco-friendly method of producing a 3D print of our baby scans. The Matrix 3D printer provided us with the perfect solution – it provides value for money and its eco-friendly credentials are very important to our customers.”


 

The Matrix is a simple 3D printing system – using commonly available reams of A4 paper as the build material, water based adhesive and a tungsten carbide blade. With no dust, no fumes, no lasers, the Matrix offers an office friendly unit that produces models that are tough, durable and eco-friendly.

Most of all the Matrix offers accessibility to a more mainstream market. In this application it is all about cost of the output – cost sensitivity amongst consumers is far higher than in the commercial world – at €0.01 ($0.014) per cubic centimeter to print, the Matrix delivers this accessibility.

According to Innermost Secrets, the Matrix 300 3D printer provides a way for pregnant women and their families to take home an inexpensive lasting permanent 3D keepsake to treasure and share with their family and friends.

Innermost Secrets
www.innermostsecrets.com

Mcor Technologies Ltd
www.mcortechnologies.com