Rapidly prototyped temporal bone model for otological education.
The anatomy of the temporal bone is extremely complicated. If a three-dimensional model could be simulated, it would greatly contribute to the stereoscopic understanding of anatomy and surgery. A simulated three-dimensional model of a human temporal bone was prototyped using the selective laser sintering method. The model could be shaved using a surgical drill in the same way as in real surgery. A magnified model was particularly useful for the instruction of anatomy and surgery. When a translucent area was selected, a bony labyrinth could be created together with an internal auditory meatus and facial nerve, which also contributed to the easy understanding of the inner ear structure. The three-dimensional prototyped model using selective laser sintering serves as a good educational material for middle ear anatomy and surgery.
Suzuki
Mamoru
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. otosuzu@tokyo-med.ac.jp
Ogawa
Yasuo
Y
Hagiwara
Akira
A
Yamaguchi
Hiroya
H
Ono
Hidenori
H
D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology*