Problem(& definition statement):
There is a lack of affordable, anatomically detailed, physical musculoskeletal models that clearly demonstrate deep and superficial muscle layers and ligaments in the anatomical position and naming.
We are solving this problem for people who are independent anatomy learners, like art students learning anatomy or anatomy students that don’t have immediate access to these physical models(or a cadaver lab).
Research
I have done research on the price of physical models, their features and their drawbacks. I have also done research on resin printing services, resin printers, and resins.
For physical models, here are a few of them, and their features and drawbacks:
Axis Scientific Miniature Human Muscular Figure Anatomy Model: Around $160 USD, not bad price point but also no naming, and not in anatomical position nor is there naming.
SOMSO Male Muscle Figure AS1: $5500-6000USD based on seller. Detachable muscles, also shows viscera after removing some parts. Very large, around 1/2 natural size, but not in anatomical position nor is there naming.
3B Scientific 1/3 Life-Size Human Muscle Figure, 2 part: $942 USD. Removable abdominal area, but not in anatomical position and without naming. There are other more expensive models with more parts but still the same 2 problems arise.
Muscular Figure 1/3 Natural Size Erler Zimmer B90: Around $368 USD. Arms are removable, and there is one superficial and deep side. Not in anatomical position, and no naming either. Not far from the problem statement.
For resin printing services, I was looking for a dark gray model, and I would either have it multicoloured with black for names and fiber direction, or I would paint on black myself.
- Protolabs (protolabs.com/services/3d-printing/resin) Accura Extreme Gray ABS-Like ✅ Estimated shipping time: 3-14 business days
- Weerg (weerg.com/3d-printing-service) Many gray resins Estimated shipping time: 3-10 business days
- Xometry (xometry.com) Estimated shipping time: 5-12 business days Multi color printing wow(PolyJet) Formlabs Gray V5(https://xometry-marketing.cdn.prismic.io/xometry-marketing/aBFDOPIqRLdaBukE_FormlabsGreyResinV5Datasheet.pdf) Accura Xtreme Gray(https://xometry-marketing.cdn.prismic.io/xometry-marketing/aBFDOPIqRLdaBukE_FormlabsGreyResinV5Datasheet.pdf)
- Protolabs(hubs.com/3d-printing) Estimated shipping time: 4-10 business days Formlabs Grey Pro Resin Formlabs Standard Resin
Solution
My solution is as follows:
Our prototype will be a downscaled, 3D printed model of the musculoskeletal system in the anatomical position. There will be one deep side and one superficial side for better representation of muscles, bones and ligaments. Visible muscles are labeled in text by TA(Terminologia Anatomica) naming standards. Muscle fiber direction is made visible by colored lines, or texture running parallel to the pennation angle.
The main talking points in my definition statement are:
- Affordability
- Physical musculoskeletal model
- Clear superficial and deep muscle layers w/ ligaments
- Named visible muscles and ligaments
- In anatomical position
The prototype in theory should fit all of these criteria. The one thing I might be worried about is affordability. Compared to other models of its size, will resin printing be more expensive than a mass produced model?
Current Progress
I started with finding a model to use, since I won’t be able to model the whole musculoskeletal system in 2-3 months. I landed on using Z-Anatomy’s Reddit link as my model. Here is my to-do list(pasted from Notion):
- [x] Finalize muscle list Feb 27 (done Feb 25)
- [x] Research resin printing cost & constraints Mar 5
- [x] Remove omitted muscles Mar 11
- [ ] Name muscles & ligaments(remember TA) Mar 27
- [ ] Make model printable & move to another CAD app if needed Apr 17
- [ ] Test print on school resin printer/FDM Apr 18
- [ ] Revisions and refinements Apr 22
- [ ] Final print(maybe resin printing service) or just school printer Apr 27
- [ ] Project documentation / Last revised print if needed May 1
I am currently working on modeling the names of muscles & ligaments on the model, which is probably the biggest challenge of the project. Another challenge is resin printing, since it might be expensive(although covered by Fusion). A service might take a few days to ship the prototype. I also need to learn how to convert a Blender model into a printable file, whether it be .stl or something else.
AI
I chose to use AI(specifically Grok) to help me research sources to find TA(the naming convention), resin printing services, and help me decide on a font for my model. Attached below is the AI transcript:
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