NASA engineer uses 3D laser scanning services to study his wife's pregnancy

3D laser scanning services are becoming more common, and it could be used to track physical changes during pregnancy. This could help doctors detect problems early on and improve the care of pregnant women. 

Paul Gradl, a 3D designer at NASA, was fascinated by 3D body scans and 3D printing. When his wife became pregnant with their first child he decided to do something really special. He created a 3D scan of her as she changed over 9 months to document his unborn baby’s development.

The 3D scan was created as part of a hobby project, but it could also have some important medical applications. 

For example, other medical applications include 3D printing of 3D models of patients’ organs for surgery planning. 3D scanning services also allow treatment, surgical guides, and prosthetics to be 3D printed from a patient’s CT scan data.

3D imaging is becoming part of the healthcare system in many countries. For example, 3D imaging shows changes in arthritis over time which can help with treatment, 3D printing of implant surgical guides for orthopedic surgery, and 3D models from medical images to support the diagnosis. The use of 3D printing in medicine is only going to increase in the future as the technology improves.

How 3D laser scanning services work

A laser scan works by scanning an object to collect its 3D data. Lasers and cameras are used to generate 3D images which can be combined to form a 3D model. The whole process takes less than 30 seconds and creates 3D data that can then be 3D printed, edited, or viewed on a computer screen.

3D scanners also allow 3D body scans to take place. These 3D body scans show the shape and size of a person’s body. 3D body scans are often used by athletes, as they can help with performance analysis and injury prevention. 

3D scanning services can also be used for medical purposes such as 3D printing of implant surgical guides for orthopedic surgery.

3D scanning services of patients’ organs are also used for surgery planning. 3D body scanning services allow the human body to be scanned and 3D printed, a technology that could have enormous potential.

The bottom line

The 3D scan of Gradl’s wife is a really amazing accomplishment, and it shows the potential of 3D scanning technology. 3D scans can capture minute details that other imaging methods can.