CHD or Congenital Heart Disease is a problem in the structure of the heart that is present at the time of birth.In most cases a patient suffers from VSD (Ventricular Septum Defect) or DORV (Double Outlet Right Ventricle). In VSD there is an abnormal opening in the ventricular septum that allows free communication between the ventricles, hence mixing the pure and impure blood. In DORV the pulmonary artery and aorta are both connected to the right ventricle.

The Challenge

Congenital Heart Disease is a birth defect that brings with it a further complication of Ventricular Septum Defect, where an abnormal opening in the ventricular septum allows purified and impure blood to mix. 2D DICOM images cannot convey the complexity of these cases where an exact picture of the location and size of the opening is needed to decide on the correct course of action. The doctors asked Imaginarium to create a model that could be dissected to show the family the exact nature of the problem and decide for themselves on how the surgery needed to proceed.

Solution

Imaginarium created a digital model along with the virtual patch generation that helped in accurate analysis of the defect. The model outlined the exact shape, size and location of the defect and the 3D geometry made studying the turbulence/linearity of blood flow with ease. This helped visualise the various outcomes of different surgical approaches and helped the family make an informed decision.

Technology used

• DICOM data to make a virtual 3D model. Final part made using SLS in PA 12.