Internal structure of the lungs, 3D printed plastic

Ribcage, Hodgkin lymphoma patient, 3D printed nylon

Brain blood vessels, suspected meningitis, 3D printed nylon

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Human ribcage 3D printed in white SLS nylon. In this image, the ribcage is viewed from the front with the vertebrae of the spine clearly visible in the centre. The ribcage belongs to Caroline who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma cancer. The 2D data contained in her CT scans were converted into 3D renders by the artist who was then able to export them to a printable format. Original size of artwork is 14h x 13w x 9d cm.

Wellcome Trust photography by Ben Gilbert.

Blood vessels in a female human adult brain, from a patient with suspected bacterial meningitis. The 2D data contained in the patient's MRI scans were converted into 3D renders by the artist who was then able to export them to a printable format so that they could be 3D printed in white nylon by selective laser sintering (SLS). 



Meningitis is the infection of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord (meninges) and can be bacterial or viral. Bacterial meningitis can be very severe and if left untreated can cause brain damage and infection of the blood (septicaemia). It can be caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B Streptococcus, Listeria monocytogenes, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis.



Wellcome Trust photography by Ben Gilbert.

Internal architecture of the trachea and lungs, 3D printed in Frosted Ultra Detail plastic. 


This image shows the internal structure of the lungs. The trachea (windpipe) divides into two branches called bronchi, which each divide further to produce smaller branches called bronchioles. After a number of further subdivisions, the bronchioles terminate into alveoli, which are the air sacs of the lungs where gas exchange occurs.


An extension of a previous project, the lungs belong to Caroline who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma cancer. The 2D data contained in her CT scans were converted into 3D renders by the artist who was then able to export them to a printable format. 


The size of the original artwork is 15cm (h) x 10cm (d) x 15.6cm (w).

Wellcome Trust photography by Ben Gilbert.

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3D printing

Images

Works

Ribcage, Hodgkin lymphoma patient, 3D printed nylon

Brain blood vessels, suspected meningitis, 3D printed nylon

Brain blood vessels, suspected meningitis, 3D printed nylon

Internal structure of the lungs, 3D printed plastic

Brain blood vessels, suspected meningitis, 3D printed nylon

Today’s opening times

Wellcome uses cookies.

3D printing

Images

Works

Ribcage, Hodgkin lymphoma patient, 3D printed nylon

Brain blood vessels, suspected meningitis, 3D printed nylon

Brain blood vessels, suspected meningitis, 3D printed nylon

Internal structure of the lungs, 3D printed plastic

Brain blood vessels, suspected meningitis, 3D printed nylon

Wellcome Collection

Today’s opening times