Model Medicine at Saint Luke’s

Printed Brain

The human brain is only about 2 percent of the total body weight in humans, however it receives 15-20% of the body's blood supply through a network of blood vessels. In some instances, these blood vessels can develop a weak, bulging spot called an aneurysm.

To better understand aneurysms and how to best treat them, Saint Luke’s neurointerventionalist Coleman Martin, M.D., uses a 3-D printer in his diagnoses. For patients needing non-emergent coiling or clipping of their aneurysms, Dr. Martin imports a patient’s angiography images into a 3-D printer. He then shares the completed replica during pre-op consultations.

The models help patients and families better understand the complexity of the procedure – and help Saint Luke’s neurointerventionalists and neurosurgeons plan more effective approaches to the twists and turns of the brain’s arteries.