The University of California Berkeley is using Z Corporation 3D printing technology to accelerate the evolution of a new medical device that promises to deliver safe, non-invasive angiography.
Called X-space Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI), the technology will let doctors look inside the heart and brain without the dangers of radiation, iodine, guide wires or catheters, noted Patrick Goodwill, University of California Berkeley research associate and developer of both the theory and first x-space MPI scanner. The MPI scanner detects nanoparticles spotlighted by benign iron oxide tracers injected into the bloodstream.
Goodwill and a team of graduate engineering students in the Conolly Laboratory use the ZPrinter® 150 3D printer to create parts for MPI scanner prototypes that can image small animals. These devices are precursors to human-scale scanners.
“Since we’re building the world’s first MPI scanners, we can’t just buy parts off the shelf,” said Goodwill. “We’re using the ZPrinter to manufacture parts such as transmit coils, receive coils, heated animal beds and even custom components for delivering animal anesthesia. Every scanner we’ve built has incorporated at least two or three ZPrinted parts.”
With the ZPrinter, Goodwill can build 30 parts for the price of one.
“ZPrinting is the fastest way we can create the parts we need to rapidly iterate our design so we can bring MPI to the general public sooner,” Goodwill said. “We train all our students on SolidWorks® CAD software and have them manufacture their own parts. Now, whenever we have an inspiration, we try it out with a real part. We never have to leave the lab.”
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