Establishing a Pipeline for the Scanning, Editing, and Full-Color Additive Manufacturing of Cadavers for Anatomy Training

Gross anatomy dissection is often seen as the ideal standard for anatomy education. However, gaining access to donated bodies can be challenging, expensive, and requires a range of resources not available at all institutions. While digital visualizations may address certain aspects of anatomy training when cadavers are not available, the use of complementary physical artifacts, such as 3D models, offers the potential to enhance educational outcomes in a way not achievable solely through virtual means. This paper establishes and demonstrates a pipeline for the creation of full-color physical facsimiles of cadaveric anatomy. This is achieved through a combination of photogrammetry, mesh and texture editing, and material jetting. The approach is then demonstrated using two case studies of varying geometric and color complexity, including an arm dissection and combined heart/lung model. Through this method of full-color reproduction, true-to-life specimens for anatomy training can be generated and deployed in education.