Hey folks, just been chatting with urology nurses at work and wondering if anyone has or knows of medical models that could be 3D printed? Specifically something staff can practice putting a catheter in. I’m hoping there is something about so I don’t have to sculpt a whole model
Urological models don’t seem to be common (you can get bones, hearts, and a few other organs from the US NIH, though). However, one of the things I did turn up in a quick web search was several mentions of software that can be used to turn medical imaging data (MRI, possibly others) into models for printing. It’s usually used for setting up individualized treatment plans. Maybe what you need is a former patient who’s had the appropriate regions scanned and might be willing to release the data to you for such a purpose.
Yes, I did that for a surgeon.
I used 3D Slicer, a Foss program that can turn medical imagery into 3d models.
The image my co-worker pulled up wasn’t super detailed, she wants something that can be shown to new staff and patients just so you get an idea of where the urethra and bladder is and how close they are to the vagina.
Then for the male one, just to show how to hold the penis while inserting the catheter. This one will be more of a challenge since it needs to flex, the female one I might have to just model and hope for the best
There are a few directions you could go in to have the print flex: print from flexible material (although I’m not sure that even the softest grade of Ninjaflex would be flexible enough), or, as someone has already suggested, create a mold for silicone casting. Or, in the worst case, modify one of those sectioned print-in-place flexible snake models, although the result won’t be as realistic.
I was hesitating to suggest this, but do you think you could usefully modify a realistic dildo model? Cults3D probably has a few—I think they’re the only major repository with a sex toy section.
I’ll have to speak to them a bit more to work out exactly how detailed they need or want the model. If it’s just the female model, that won’t be awfully difficult, I can sculpt something if I absolutely have to with my beyond basic skills lol
They really wanted the cross section to be able to show where the device sits and explain in better detail the operation that was done.