press release - Medical Modeling

MEDICAL MODELING LLC  The Tactile Imaging Solutions Company SM
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDICAL MODELING PLAYS KEY ROLE IN PROJECT TO STUDY RARE CHILD MUMMY
Physical Anatomical Models Complement Stunning Computer Visualizations
Developed by Researchers at Stanford University and Silicon Graphics
GOLDEN, Colo., (August 3, 2005) Medical Modeling LLC is pleased to be a part of an
exciting collaborative effort with researchers at Silicon Graphics (SGI) (Mountain View,
CA), Stanford University Hospital (Palo Alto, CA), and Stanford-NASA
Biocomputational Center (Palo Alto, CA) applying advanced technology to the study of
a child laid to rest 2,000 years ago in Egypt. The mummy, held by the Rosicrucian
Egyptian Museum & Planetarium in San Jose, CA for the last 75 years, is believed to
be that of a four to six year old child who lived around the time of Christ. Over the last
several months scientists in the contributing groups have analyzed and processed
huge volumes of high resolution computed tomography (CT) image data acquired by
Stanford’s Radiology Department and have developed unprecedented visualizations.
Today at Silicon Graphics’ headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. the findings and
remarkable images are being showcased.
Background
Medical Modeling LLC was contacted by Drs. Stephen Schendel and Paul Brown, of
the Stanford-NASA Biocomputational Center, to take part in the project. Using the high
resolution CT scan data the company has produced a series of life sized models that
serve several purposes including: 1) a basis for forensic facial reconstruction by the
group at Stanford and 2) providing a physical complement to the dazzling computer
graphics generated by SGI. Two main types of models have been produced. The first
shows the mummy’s skull and allowed the forensic team to add clay to the model
creating a likeness of what the young girl might have looked like in life. This model
allowed for the most accurate facial likeness to be sculpted based on the bone
structure revealed through CT imaging. The second, more elaborate model combined
data from the CT scans as well as high-resolution digital photographs to incorporate
the external appearance of the cartonnage, in full color, along with the mummy’s bone
structure yielding a striking view of the mummy’s skull within the layers of wrappings.
This model took unique advantage of full-color printing, something only recently
possible with advanced manufacturing machinery.
Medical Modeling has had previous experience in creating life-size models of another
Egyptian mummy on permanent exhibit at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
The project, completed in early 2005, involved forensic facial reconstruction using
completely digital techniques then printing the results using rapid prototyping. “We
were excited to put some of the experience gained in our project with the Denver
Museum of Nature and Science to work with this ‘child mummy’ project. With the
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Telephone 303-273-5344
www.medicalmodeling.com
MEDIA CONTACTS
Medical Modeling LLC
Andy Christensen
andy@medicalmodeling.com
303-273-5344
Silicon Graphics (SGI)
Caroline Japic
caroline@sgi.com
650-933-7210
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
Dalane Bollinger
dbollinger@orloffwilliams.com
408-293-1791
Stanford Medical Center
M.A. Malone
mamalone@stanford.edu
650-723-6912
MEDICAL MODELING LLC  The Tactile Imaging Solutions Company SM
ability to print in full color we are able to replicate not only shape, but color, which is a major step forward”,
stated Andy Christensen, president of Medical Modeling.
Just as these mummy models provide a precise picture of hidden structures without disturbing the
irreplaceable original, Medical Modeling’s primary products enable physicians to handle replicas of their
patients’ internal anatomy. The company’s ClearView®, OsteoView® and RapidView® Anatomical Models
are relied upon by physicians in many specialties as a medium for realistic surgical planning, customization
of treatment devices and detailed communication. The models are also used extensively in educational
settings, research and development and when legal matters demand clear explanations of complex
anatomy.
Advanced Image Processing Performed at Medical Modeling
CT imaging performed at Stanford’s Radiology Department resulted in a huge digital database describing
the internal and external makeup of the mummy. A portion of this data was sent to Medical Modeling where
advanced computer design tools were applied to design unique physical replicas. Further processing of the
images was carried out for identification of various anatomical structures shown in the CT data. This task
was performed by biomedical visualization specialists at Medical Modeling and Stanford. Further computer
design work, such as splitting the cartonnage mask to expose the skull beneath and mapping a series of
photos (courtesy of SGI and the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum) to the surface, were performed in order to
produce the full color model. These aspects of the final piece showcase Medical Modeling’s expertise in
using a variety of data sources to create unique, accurate and visually compelling models.
The Technology Behind Medical Modeling’s Tactile Anatomical Models
Key to Medical Modeling’s involvement in the project was a new piece of advanced manufacturing
equipment, a Spectrum Z510 3D printer from Z Corporation (Burlington, MA). This printer allowed the
company to three-dimensionally print, in full color, a model designed using computed tomography and
photographic data of the mummy. “We believe it’s the first time photographic data has been combined with
computed tomography data of a mummy and printed in full color. The beauty of this technique is that very
little interaction is needed in the physical realm; most of what we did was virtual. The full-color printer
allowed us to just hit ‘print’ and watch the amazing results” noted Travis Vermilye, Biomedical Visualization
Specialist with Medical Modeling. The life sized model of the mummy’s bust integrates color from the
mummy’s outer wrappings in addition to the bones imaged within.
MEDICAL MODELING LLC  The Tactile Imaging Solutions CompanySM
Medical Modeling LLC is a world leader in the production of custom anatomical models made using medical
imaging data and rapid manufacturing technology. Its work in providing advanced “tactile” imaging tools to
surgeons has enabled some amazing surgeries, including separation of several sets of conjoined twins.
Medical Modeling’s services enable surgeons in the fields of orthopedic surgery, spine surgery, craniomaxillofacial surgery and neurosurgery to provide better care to patients through advanced surgical
planning with tactile models. More information on this project and Medical Modeling can be found on the
internet at www.medicalmodeling.com.
Media Contact: Andy Christensen, 303-273-5344, andy@medicalmodeling.com
Many thanks to the project organizers for making it possible for Medical Modeling to participate:
Silicon Graphics (SGI) / www.sgi.com
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MEDICAL MODELING LLC  The Tactile Imaging Solutions Company SM
Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum and Planetarium / www.egyptianmuseum.org
Stanford Medical Center / www.stanford.edu
Stanford-NASA Biocomputational Center / www.biocomp.stanford.edu
For further information on full-color 3D printing see:
Z Corporation / www.zcorp.com
IMAGES
(All images Copyright 2005 for their respective owners, as noted.)
Dr. Paul Brown of the Stanford-NASA Biocomputational
Center, in front of an array of monitors showcasing SGI’s
impressive renderings, holds a 3D Printing replica of the
mummy’s skull produced by Medical Modeling LLC.
Photo courtesy Stanford-NASA Biocomputational Center.
The child mummy has been
held for 75 years at the
Rosicrucian Egyptian
Museum in San Jose, CA.
Photo courtesy Rosicrucian
Egyptian Museum and
Planetarium.
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MEDICAL MODELING LLC  The Tactile Imaging Solutions Company SM
A requisite step in the
development of physical models
from medical image data is
segmentation or labeling of each
of the anatomical structures
shown in the scans. Shown is a
CT scan image taken of the
mummy. Image courtesy
Medical Modeling LLC
The final physical model, produced
with full-color 3D Printing, closely
represents the computer design
shown above, right. Photo courtesy
Medical Modeling LLC.
Using advanced software and techniques photos of
the external surface of the mummy were texture
mapped to the virtual model developed from CT
data. Image courtesy Medical Modeling LLC.
Texture mapping of color
photographs onto the surface of a
virtual model of the cartonnage
mask. Image courtesy Medical
Modeling LLC and Rosicrucian
Egyptian Museum and
Planetarium.
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MEDICAL MODELING LLC  The Tactile Imaging Solutions Company SM
Dental experts in the project spent time
studying the ClearView® Anatomical Model
of the mummy’s skull showing selective
coloration of the teeth. Photo courtesy
Medical Modeling LLC.
ClearView® Anatomical Model, OsteoView® Anatomical Model and RapidView® Anatomical Model are all
registered trademarks of Medical Modeling LLC. The Medical Modeling logo is a registered trademark of
Medical Modeling LLC.
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