3D Modeling: The Heart of Biotechnology
Written by Renee Lee
Edited by Gesi Huang
Three-dimensional modeling is commonly seen in entertainment, architecture, and manufacturing. However, its importance in the medical field is equally notable and should not be overlooked. Accurate 3D models of real tissue and organs not only increase precision in patient procedures but also accelerate innovation in biotechnology and drug development. One of the most promising 3D-modeled products in modern medicine is cardiac mesh, which is a cutting-edge device designed to support hearts with arrhythmia or other damage.
Traditionally, interventions to fix heart tissue rely on transplantation of standardized patches made of living cells and therapeutic agents, intended to replace lost muscle and improve heart function. Unfortunately, this technology is inefficient due to the unique geometries of patients’ hearts, leading to post-operative health concerns and stress on the body (Laumer et al., 2023). 3D modeling offers a valuable solution to this problem using simulative properties, which can predict how a patient’s heart may respond to a certain mesh.
Curated by Leticia Smolka (lds234@cornell.edu)
The production of cardiac mesh is yet to be perfected due to the difficulty of obtaining high-definition images of hearts and constructing an accurate mesh to account for complete anatomic detail surrounding the cardiac area. To address this challenge, a novel method involving the generation of 3D Finite Element Method (FEM) meshes has been detailed in recent studies. This method uses high-resolution MRI scans that are split into subsections and input into a mesh generating algorithm (Prassl et al. 2010). The geometry and precision involved in this process is an art to acknowledge on its own.
Some innovative features of 3D modeled cardiac mesh include the ability to dissolve naturally in the body as the heart begins to heal, which diminishes the need for extra hospital visits and costs. The technology involved in this process allows researchers and healthcare professionals to study how cells in the heart interact with the materials involved in the mesh, including how the material can best promote healthy regeneration within the body. When discussing the compatibility between the body and biomedical technology, 3D modeling is an exceptional tool that allows experiments in vitro—in other words, in a petri dish—to simulate how a product might work inside the body. For example, supplements and drugs are often tested using 3D organoids to investigate how they might be transported throughout the body.
3-D printers at Cornell in the Rapid Prototyping Lab. Photos taken by Leticia Smolka (lds234@cornell.edu)
Because the human body—especially the heart—is so variable between individuals, it is important to have access to a system that can adapt to each person’s needs. Thanks to the innovation of 3D modeling, it is possible to generate personal products to ensure safe care is distributed to all patients. It should also be noted that the geometric precision provided by 3D modeling is extremely useful for furthering understanding of biomechanics in the cardiac system as well as bridging connections between the artistry of engineering and biology.
Renee Lee ’27 is in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at ryl27@cornell.edu.
