Mayo Clinic Teams with Community College and Dimension 3D Printer in Conjoined Twins Case

In the nearly 100 years since the founding of Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC), the institution has been instrumental in the lives of hundreds of thousands of students in preparing them for their careers. But for two little girls, career advancement wasn't the school's mission. It was working in part with the Mayo clinic to save their lives.

RCTC offers a Computer Aided Drafting Technology program that allows students to turn concepts, ideas and rough sketches into designs using computer aided design tools and techniques. Using a Dimension 3D Printer, students then take those designs and develop 3D models that are used for functional and/or demonstration purposes.

In 2006, Pam Benson, RCTC's computer aided design instructor received a request from Mayo Clinic to print 3D models of the internal organs of a set of conjoined twins, Abbigail and Isabelle Carlsen. Using CT scans received from the Mayo Clinic, Benson used the Dimension 3D printer to print models of the Carlsen twins' bile duct and liver.

Mayo doctors used the 3D models to evaluate the twins' medical condition and to determine the appropriate surgical procedures. A team of 18 doctors then successfully separated Abbigail and Isabelle. Throughout the marathon eleven-hour procedure, the 3D models proved to be beneficial to the doctors who conducted the surgery. In addition, doctors used the 3D models to visually explain to the media how the procedure was conducted.

Not all the uses of the Dimension printer at RCTC are as dramatic as the models of the Carlsen twins. But the printer is an integral part of technology curriculum.

"The students enjoy seeing "hands on" prototypes made within hours of their completed CAD designs. It has been a valuable addition to our college." —Pam Benson, computer aided design instructor, Rochester Community and Technical College

Each year, drafting students are assigned a project to test individual creativity and application of course material. Projects can range from creating machine design components, such as linkages and gears, to complete design prototypes. In developing particular models during the design process, students need the ability to efficiently test, evaluate and redesign the models developed in CAD. "Our department needed a dependable, cost-effective solution capable of producing 3D models," said Benson.

The Dimension 3D printer has far exceeded RCTC's expectations. Although there are few life-and-death applications, students at RCTC continue to find new, innovative ways to use the versatile Dimension 3D printer.

An essential tool for everyone on the design team

Dimension 3D printing can help to quickly fine tune designs and cut weeks - even months - from development schedules. Now, with the ability to evaluate more design iterations, designers can test form, fit and function right from your desktop.