18.03.2020
The Medical University of Gdańsk has launched the first elective course in Poland for students dealing with the application of 3D printing in medicine
The dynamic development of 3D printing technology and medical imaging has made it possible to combine these solutions, thereby facilitating the creation of patient-specific anatomic models. To date, they have been using it primarily for better spatial imaging of pathologies in patients and planning interventions or surgical treatment of specific cases. Scientists at the Department and Clinic of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Defects at the Medical University of Gdańsk are proving that this is the future of not only the individual-focused medicine but also of modern medical education and training. For more than 3 years now the specialists at the Medical University of Gdańsk have been conducting a project focused on harnessing 3D printing technology in pediatric cardiology. They all agreed to use the acquired experience in educating both patients and medical students. Therefore, a unique elective course was launched entitled 3D Printing in Medicine: Application and Methods of Production. It is, quite notably, the first of its kind in Poland and targeted at 4th, 5th and 6th-year Polish and English Division students of the Faculty of Medicine.
Based on our current knowledge, no other medical university in Poland offers classes (compulsory or elective) on the implementation of 3D printing technology in medicine, says Robert Sabiniewicz, M.D, Ph.D. D.Sc., an Associate Professor at the Medical University of Gdańsk. Only a few leading medical universities in the world are engaged in popularizing this innovation. This is because the process of creating models, on account of the complexity involved, is still technically difficult, while outsourcing it to only a few available service providers (offering the appropriate hardware, software and skills) is very costly, adds Joanna Kwiatkowska, M.D., Ph.D., Head of the Department and Clinic of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Defects at the Medical University of Gdański where this elective course was held.
The curriculum for this elective course was prepared specifically for the future doctors to provide them with both the broadest spectrum of the capabilities afforded by this technology and training that would result in acquiring practical skills to build models on their own in the future, emphasizes Jarosław Meyer-Szary, M.D., PhD. During the seminar classes students were introduced to various examples of the broad applications of 3D printing technology in various medical specializations. Whereas, during practical exercises (workshops) using computers equipped with printers, these future physicians learned about the various stages of building models. They conducted preliminary analysis of imaging on their own under the supervision of the lecturer, performed a preliminary analysis of the received imaging and image segmentation, inspection of the received model and its preparation for printing. During their last class the students cleaned up the models they had previously prepared and printed. Also, a discussion was held on the most frequently encountered difficulties and obstacles faced when building models example-based models
Zortrax, a producer of 3D printers from Olsztyn, partners this unique elective course by providing essential hardware for the University to use. The company has a strong position on the desktop 3D devices market. Apart from the specific hardware it also offers its clients printing materials, Z-SUITE software and other products which increase the efficiency of the prototyping process. Zortrax devices are used by thousands of clients around the world in various industries from architecture, medicine, automotive to engineering, industrial design and fashion. Zortrax solutions were used by, among others NASA and the Bosch group. During a visiting lecture, the company’s experts presented some of the practical aspects of using printers and familiarized the students with the differences in the available technologies.
3D printing offers vast opportunities to physicians, not only in cardiology, starting with the creation of patient-specific anatomical models, the required tools, educational aids and personalized implants. Models created by using 3D printing make it possible to enhance the efficacy and safety of medical procedures. They also fulfill an educational function with regard to future physicians and patients who can gain a better grasp of the procedure that is being planned. We at Zortrax are elated to collaborate with the Medical University of Gdańsk in educating future generations of physicians and acquaint them with the cutting-edge solutions involving the utilization of 3D printing in medicine, says Jacek Krywko of Zortrax who conducted a lecture during the course.
So far, several dozen of patient-specific heart models have been created by using this innovative technique in the Clinic of Pediatric Cardiology and Congenital Heart Defects at the Medical University of Gdańsk. The enormous interest in this technology expressed by students in both discussions and surveys collected after the classes indicates the need of expanding the educational offer with practical learning how to manufacture 3D models with the emphasis on their use in medicine. The 3D printing enables students to understand the complexity of the defects and problems patients have when they turn to us for help. They are able to gain a better picture of what an operation will entail and what complications may arise as a result, adds Meyer-Szary, M.D., Ph.D.. Almost 90% of nearly a hundred medical students surveyed wanted to learn about the technical aspects of producing such models. The elective course 3D printing course conceived by the Medical University of Gdańsk expands the University’s educational offer on presenting modern medical technologies.
Medical University of Gdańsk (MUG) is a renowned modern academic centre recognized on both national and international level. For nearly 75 years, the University has been providing high quality education in all medical professions and conducting scientific research at the highest level. According to the 2018 higher education ranking of the Perspektywy Educational Foundation, the MUG is ranked 1st among the medical schools in the country and 8th among the top ten of the best Polish state universities. It is also ranked in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), known as the Shanghai Ranking and the CWTS Leiden Ranking. From October 2019 the Medical University of Gdańsk officially holds the prestigious ministerial status of a research university. It is 1 of 10 universities in Poland and the only medical university that was awarded a place in this prestigious group.
Zortrax is a Polish company providing comprehensive 3D printing solutions. The company built a strong position on the desktop 3D devices market. Apart from the specific hardware it also offers its clients printing materials, Z-SUITE software and other products which increase the efficiency of the prototyping process. Zortrax devices are used by thousands of clients around the world in various industries from architecture, medicine, automotive to engineering, industrial design and fashion. Zortrax solutions were used by, among others NASA and the Bosch Group,
Paweł Ozga of the E-Nable Polska foundation was the workshop’s guest lecturer. The extensive experience he has acquired so far during in his professional work on medical models – mainly for medical centres in Southern Poland – has proved very helpful during the exercises.
Sinterit from Krakow and Materialise also provided valuable support. The company is a leading manufacturer of desktop printers functioning in SLS technology. In his lecture during the course Konrad Głowacki, the co-founder of the company explained why it has an advantage over other 3D printing technologies in some of the selected clinical scenarios. Materialize has licensed the Mimics Innovation Suite software, the industry’s now standard engineering software when it comes to medical imaging. As the software offers validated set of the most advanced tools which provide control over the various stages of the model creation process and thus, supports the doctors’ efforts to improve patient care, it enabled to preparation of high quality models during the workshops.