FETAL BIOMODELLING

A study has been performed to determine if a stereolithographic (SL) b iomodel of a fetal face could be created from 3 dimensional (3D) ultra sound (US). 3D ultrasound images were acquired by Diasonics Gateway 2D Array ultrasound systems. (Diasonics Ultrasound, San Jose, CA, USA) u sing an electromagnetic localizer (Tomtec Free Hand Scanning Device, T omtec Imaging Systems, Middle Cove, Australia). 3D volumetric reconstr uction of the fetal face was performed and the dat;l was prepared to g uide the construction of an exact solid biomodel by stereolithography (SLA 250 3D Systems, Valencia, CA, USA). A faithful solid representati on of the fetal face was produced within 12 hours of the US scan. The fetal biomodel seemed to improve the display of the 3D data. The user- friendly nature of biomodelling may have clinical utility for fetal mo rphological assessment and as an aid when counselling parents.