Masters Project
The central idea of the project focuses on a pharmaceutical derived from scorpion venom, aiding surgeons in distinguishing between tumor and healthy tissue during brain surgery. My role involved translating this scientific narrative into a tangible, engaging model utilizing 3D modeling and printing.
Interactive Model
Press the button to shine the UV light and reveal the tumor!
(Click and hold cursor to rotate model)
M.S. Biomedical Engineering, May 2024
The primary objective was to translate the Saint Louis Science Center's conceptual vision into a tangible 3D model. I used:
- Materialise Mimics to extract the brain's structure from an MRI Scan
- Blender to sculpt the face to conform to the contours of the CT-scanned anatomical model of the skull
- Materialise 3-matic to assemble all components, where they were resized, positioned, and sectioned
The model was printed using a combination of 3D printing and molding:
- Created FDM prototypes of the brain and head, then secured them in containment boxes designed for mold making
- Poured silicone into the boxes to form shell molds of the brain and head
- Dyed urethane and casted within the brain mold
- Drilled a section for the tumor, then filled it with urethane mixed with UV photochromic pigment
- Secured the brain and FDM printed skull in head containment box, then poured transparent urethane creating the head- unifying the model
Read more about the project in the NewScience Spring 2024 Edition (pages 10-11)!