Doctor uses 3D printing technology to help his blind patient “see” her son

Ana Paula Silveira and Alvaro Zermiani are both blind. So when Ana Paula got pregnant, she wasn’t able to see her ultrasound. That’s when her doctor had the idea to make a 3D printing model from the ultrasound so that the couple could feel their baby.

Heron used a 3D printer to make models from the images he got from a GE ultrasound machine. “From the moment we got to the high-quality ultrasound exam, through the possibility of 3D printing it, I realised that it could also serve to enhance the prenatal experience of visually impaired pregnant women”, the gynaecologist said. He got this idea after going to a museum, where he saw a tomography machine being used to digitise its ancient Egyptian exhibits. “We thought, why not use [medical imaging technology] for printing fetus models”.

The ultrasound machine Heron used is a Voluson E10, the first ultrasound system in the OB/GYN field with built-in 3D printing capability.

Davi Lucas, the couple’s son, was born healthy. For the parents, it was very important to get the 3D printing model. “When we touched the second model, with Davi’s face, we realized his resemblance to us. Thanks to the exams and printing, we were able to not only know that our baby was growing healthy but also to have a very real contact and establish a very strong involvement with our son”, Ana Paula described.

Adapted from: https://invent.ge/2l28oml