The Digital to Physical Mind: The Rise of 3D Printed Brain Models
For decades, the human brain was explored primarily through flat, two-dimensional images. While MRI and CT scans provided a window into our internal architecture, they often failed to convey the complex spatial relationships of the brain’s convoluted surface. Today, 3D printing has bridged this gap, transforming digital data into tangible, patient-specific models that are revolutionizing neurosurgery and medical education.
From Pixels to Plastic: The Creation Process
The journey of a 3D printed brain begins with DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) files—the standard output of medical imaging. These files are processed through specialized software like 3D Slicer or FreeSurfer, which perform "segmentation." During this phase, researchers isolate the brain tissue from the skull and other non-neural matter.
The digital model is converted into an STL (Stereolithography) file, which is then "sliced" into hundreds of horizontal layers. Depending…
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