3D foetus model
3D virtual model MRI view of foetus at 26 weeks.
Parents-to-be will soon be able to have a greater understanding of what is happening to their unborn child thanks to 3D foetal models created from MRI scans.
Research presented at the Radiological Society of North America 2016 Annual Meeting suggested the 3D-printed models could be used to visualise the internal organs of a foetus and assess any abnormalities. Heron Werner Jr, MD, PhD, from the Clinica de Diagnostico por Imagem in Rio de Janeiro, co-author of the study, begun pursuing 3D visualisations with MRI because of their increased detail compared to ultrasound. Three-dimensional models can also be used to model a projection of a foetus post-birth, according to Dr Werner.
Sequentially-mounted MRI slices are used to begin construction of the model. A segmentation process follows in which the physician elects the body parts to be reconstructed in 3D. Once an accurate 3D model is created, including the womb, umbilical cord, placenta and foetus, the virtual reality replica can be programmed to incorporate the model.
“The 3D foetal models combined with virtual reality immersive technologies may improve our understanding of foetal anatomical characteristics and can be used for educational purposes and as a method for parents to visualise their unborn baby,” said Dr Werner.
The original objective of using 3D-printed models was to help educate students, but the method was also judged to be useful in practice. In postnatal discussions, Dr Werner said it was sometimes difficult to properly explain the case with only a 2D image to hand.
Since the virtual reality models are so realistic, they provide a massive help to doctors looking to assess abnormalities.
Heron Werner
Dr Heron Werner begun pursuing 3D visualisations with MRI because of their increased detail compared to ultrasound.
A new generation, Oculus Rift 2 headset is used to place the doctor in an immersive environment, complete with heartbeat sounds derived from the ultrasound of the foetus. With this headset, the user is able to study the 3D foetal anatomy just by moving their head.
“The experience with the Oculus Rift has been wonderful,” Dr Werner said. “It provides foetal images that are sharper and clearer than ultrasound and MR images viewed on a traditional display. We think this is especially interesting for training novice endoscopic surgeons.”
The headset technology has several potential applications, including the assessment of foetal airway patency. The state of airways being open and unblocked is of paramount importance for a developing foetus. For example, if ultrasound showed an abnormal mass near the foetal airway, physicians could use the 3D images and the headset to assess the entire length of the airway and make better informed decisions about delivery.
“Physicians can have access to an immersive experience on the clinical case that they are working on, having the whole internal structure of the foetus in 3D in order to better visualise and share the morphological information,” added Dr Werner. “We believe that these images will help facilitate a multidisciplinary discussion about some pathologies in addition to bringing a new experience for parents when following the development of their unborn child.”
So far the researchers have used the technique on patients at a clinic in Rio de Janeiro, including cases where the foetus had evidence of abnormality that required postnatal surgery. They hope to use the methods more broadly over the next year.
