Description
This 3D model represents a normal sized adult heart with light dissection to the epicardium to expose the coronary arteries and cardiac veins.
At the base of the heart, the terminal part of the superior vena cava and azygous vein can be observed just prior to draining into the right atrium. Immediately adjacent to the superior vena cava, the arch of the aorta has been preserved with the origins of the aortic arch derivative arteries. In slight contrast to the typical branching pattern, the brachiocephalic trunk includes both the right subclavian and right common carotids as well as the left common carotid. As a result, only two direct arterial branches can be observed with the unusually joined brachiocephalic trunk and left subclavian arising before the descent of the thoracic aorta posterior to the pulmonary trunk. The pulmonary trunk and pulmonary arteries are preserved, including a robust ligamentum arteriosum connecting the left pulmonary artery to the aortic arch.
The removal of the epicardium has exposed the coronary arteries and branches across both the anterior and posterior aspects of the heart chambers. The right coronary artery can be seen descending from its origin at the ascending aorta, and wrapping posteriorly to approach the posterior interventricular sulcus. The origin of the left coronary artery is obscured by the auricle of the left atrium, but the branches from this artery the anterior interventricular (left anterior descending), diagonal (passing deep into the myocardium) and the circumflex artery can be observed at the superior margin of the left ventricle. The anterior interventricular descends towards the apex with several branches passing deep into the myocardium, while the circumflex passes posteriorly and lies just superficial to a preserved portion of the great cardiac vein. On the posterior aspect, a well-defined coronary sinus is preserved to its termination at the right atrium near the inferior vena cava.
Advantages
- Anatomically accurate and identical to real specimen
- No ethical issues - not real human body parts
- Reasonably priced
- Available within a short lead time
- Reproducible, several identical prints can be used as a classroom set
- Can be produced in different sizes to cater for the needs of the teacher
Human Cadavers
- Access to cadavers can be problematic. Many countries cannot access cadavers for cultural and religious reasons
- Cadavers cost a lot money
- High cost for establishing your own plastination suite
- Wet specimens cannot be used in uncertified labs
- Dissection of cadavers is a lot of staff time and that is a cost
- Storage of cadaver material needs special refrigeration etc. which has coast
- If you want another specimen you have to start all over again
Plastinates
- Costs
- Ethical issues
- Timeframe for plastination process
- Many countries do not allow their importation
- One of a kind
Superior 3D print results compared with conventional methods
- Vibrant color offering with 10 million colors
- UV-curable inkjet printing
- High quality 3D printing that can create products that are delicate, extremely precise and incredibly realistic
Clear Support Material
- To avoid breakage of fragile, thin, and delicate arteries, veins or vessels, a clear support material is printed on such spots. This makes the models robust and can be handled by students easily.
