3D Printing in Airway Anatomy and Bronchoscopy Education

Overview

The main purpose of this study is to use 3D printing technology to make a human anatomical bronchial tree model, which is applied in medical education for medical students and students of the department of respiratory therapy. Most of the clinical teaching material is expansive and inaccessible. To promote accessibility of anatomy models and student learning effects in our school and hospital, we use the 3D printing technology to print bronchial tree model and apply it to anatomy and bronchoscopy education. The present study expects some benefits that the use of printed bronchial trees for anatomy and bronchoscopy education. For example, it can reduce the cost of anatomy instruction, let students have their own anatomical model, and make the learning no longer limited to the anatomical classroom.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a technology used for the rapid production of customized physical objects. Bronchoscopy is a well-established, relatively safe procedure for both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for a variety of pulmonary diseases. In this study, to enhance the quality of airway anatomy education and bronchoscopy training, we used 3D printing to develop a 3D bronchial tree model as a high-fidelity simulator for bronchoscopy and demonstrated its validity. We designed a 3D bronchial tree model containing 12 detachable parts and 11 adapter rings.

Conditions