by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver SickKids radiologist speaks to uses of 3D imaging in medicine Health 15 | Thursday, February 6, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" Medical professionals can save time and lives thanks to 3D technology, says the head of cardiac imaging at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Dr. Shi-Joon Yoo, a cardiac radiologist and founder of 3D Hope Medical, recently made a presentation on the bene ts of 3D printing in medicine at Javelin Technologies in Oakville. "A good image saves a thousand words. A good model saves a thousand images. A good model saves a million words," he said. Located on Superior Court, Javelin Technologies is a Canadian expert in 3D design and has serviced thousands of companies with solutions for design, data management and 3D printing. Yoo spoke about using rapid prototyping for cardiovascular surgery and patients with congenital heart disease. His address was preceded by a tour, showcasing 3D printing, 3D virtual reality and 3D design software. Yoo noted there are numerous types of machinery used in 3D printing, including selective la- Dr. Shi-Joon Yoo, a cardiac radiologist at SickKids, was at Oakville's Javelin Technologies recently to discuss the bene ts of 3D imaging in medical applications. | photo by Riziero Vertolli Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @ halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) ser sintering (SL), electron beam melting (EBM), inkjet technology, stereolithography (STL), fused deposition modeling (FDM), laminated object manufacturing (LOM) and 3D microfabrications. "Among these, I nd the EBM and inkjet technologies are directly applicable to medicine. The EBM is very attractive in medicine," said Yoo, noting it is one of the "best possible options" in hip replacement cases. To make the imaging "as good as possible" for rapid-prototype models, information that is needed must be sorted and selected through a segmentation process, he said. The process is "quite painstaking," Yoo said, noting it can take they are too thin to prop- time-consuming and exup to 12 hours. "Then the prototyping will erly make the image. The pensive," Yoo said. "Future take the user four to eight hours, printing material is reason- technologies will improve and after that, we need to clean it ably OK, but not as close to the imaging contrast in orthe real thing," said Yoo. der to do a better job. and decorate it," he said. "It also includes a (betThe cardiac radiologist point- "Surgeons love to praced out 3D applications are avail- tice with the models before ter) utilization of ultrasound data and developing able in a number of areas for the surgery." Rapid prototyping is a way to make the best posmedical use. labour-intensive, sible images," he noted. Rapid prototyping can be ap- "very plied to and/or used for surgery and prevention, surgery and imaging simulation and for research developments on tailor-made implants. "(Surgeons) use printed technology to know what to do right. No matter how good graphics Morning Sickness? are, there is nothing like a model Back Pain? in your hands. It is absolutely Trouble Sleeping? true," said Yoo. Breastfeeding Concerns? "It also has a very great valuePregnancy in and Did Postnatal Nutrition questions? You Know ... education. In terms of family and Chiropractic care has been shown to: patient education, I show them · decrease low back pain, sciatica and headaches what kind of surgery they're go· shorten labour times by at least 24% · reduce chance of back labour ing to have." · improve morning sickness The existing challenges to rap· improve sinus congestion id prototyping include enhancing And allow you to enjoy your pregnancy and delivery to the fullest! image quality and increasing "the 250 Wyecroft Rd., Unit 15, Oakville ef ciency of the segmentation process," said the radiologist. Dr. Jenna Davis "It's too much time spent. Family Chiropractor/Acupuncturist There are dif culties currently 905.844.WELL (9355) with the cardiac models because www.acornhealth.ca The beauty of organic coconut oil As the temperature continues to drop, you have probably noticed the negative effects on your skin as it becomes dry, aky and itchy. 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