Brain blood vessels, suspected meningitis, 3D printed nylon

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.