How To 3-D Print The Skeleton Of A Living Animal

How to 3-D Print the Skeleton of a Living Animal

The skeleton above was created by taking a CT scan of an anaesthetized rat and sending the data to a 3-D printer. Similar life-size models of body parts from other animals or human patients could be used to train veterinary and medical students and to help surgeons prepare for difficult surgeries, the researchers say.

The idea to print skeletons from CT scans came from Evan Doney, an engineering student working in the lab of Matthew Leevy, who runs the biological imaging facility at the University of Notre Dame. ”At first I didn’t really know what the killer app would be, I just knew it would be really cool,” Leevy said. But he began to see new possibilities after striking up a conversation with an ear, nose, and throat specialist during an office visit for a sinus problem. “I actually got out my computer and showed him some slides, and by the end of it we were collaborating.”

Doney used several freeware programs to convert data from CT scans into a format that could be read by a 3-D printer. As a proof of principle, he and colleagues printed a rat skeleton in white plastic and printed a removable set of lungs in green or purple. They also printed out a rabbit skull.

What a bizarre line to end the paragraph on…

If this process could be combined with bio-compatible materials, it could make for some incredible changes to repairing/replacing broken bones. At the moment though, these models will most likely be converted into models for students and researchers to study. 

WHO INVENTED THE WORD ‘WORD’

Hydrogen is just a whorish helium

Hydrogen is an individual and makes its own choices.  Stop bond-shaming.  And before any of you would-be-chemistrists say hydrogen has the right idea and helium is a prude, remember that categorizing every element by this extremity would cause incredible instability that could never have evolved life.  All elements are beautiful.

If you’re ever concerned that the internet is going to run out of awesome, this TCA (Krebs) Cycle rap to the tune of Thrift Shop by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis should remind you that there’s plenty more to be found.

I’m gonna pop some caaaarbs, only got a lil’ glucose in my pathwaaaay

(by 1MaginAZN)

and then romeo-kun and juliet-chan inevitably committed the seppuku

Who knew Passover would get me back to writing limericks?

A Hebrew from Egypt named "Mo" -

While he and his wife had a go

She'd not let him finish.

When his strength diminished

Begged "Tzippy, let my people go!"