Three-Dimensional Model Fabricated by Layered Manufacturing

for Visually Handicapped Persons to Trace Heart Shape

Kenji Yamazawa1, ○Yoshinori Teshima2,

Yasunari Watanabe2, Yuji Ikegami1 Mamoru Fujiyoshi3,

Susumu Oouchi4, and Takeshi Kaneko4

1 RIKEN Advanced Science Institute, Japan

2 Chiba Institute of Technology, Japan

3 National Center for University Entrance Examinations, Japan

4 National Institute of Special Needs Education, Japan 1

13th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs (ICCHP2012)July 11, 2012, University of Linz

Our Project

“Research on Recognition of 3D Objects by the Visually Impaired

and Development of 3D Geometrical Teaching Materials”

(April,2006 --- March,2010)The project is supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) (18200049)

of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Project Members / Research background

TESHIMA, Yoshinori / Digital Manufacturing, Discrete GeometryFUJIYOSHI, Mamoru / Educational Technology

IKEGAMI, Yuji / Design, ManufacturingKANEKO, Takeshi / Special Education for the Visually ImpairedOOUCHI, Susumu / Special Education for the Visually Impaired

WATANABE, Yasunari / CrystallographyYAMAZAWA, Kenji / Manufacturing

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In ICCHP2010, we presented five papers and eight posters and exhibitions.

Mathematically Defined Curved Surfaces 3

CrystallographicTeaching Materials

Polyhedra

Our Exhibitions in ICCHP2010

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Planets

Skeleton of Plankton

Tactile Painting

Radiolarian ForaminiferaRadiolarian

Mars Moon Venus Earth

Monna Lisa

Our Exhibitions in ICCHP2010

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Problem of Models on the Market

3B SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTS FAME MASTER

1. Blood Vessels are too crowded together to make a distinction.

2. Coronary Artery are unclear for the tactile observation.

Two problems on outer shape

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CAD + Layered Manufacturing

1. Make the open space between Blood Vessels

2. Raise the Coronary Artery

Improvements

Our Key Technologies

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⇒

3D data

Slice data3D model

Stereolithography

Platform

Laser beam

Solidified layer

Liquid Photopolymer

1st layer 　　 4th layer 　 　 　 Last layer

3D Printing

Clinging part

Roller　　 Liquid binder

Powder (gypsum)

Platform

Inkjet device

Principle of Layered manufacturing

Thickness of each layer in the models = 0.1 mm.

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Layered manufacturing machine

Stereolithography 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 3D Printing(SOUP250, CMET) (Z402C, Z Corp.)

Wax Infiltration unit Data Control PC

Layered manufacturing machine

Depowder unit

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Yamazawa Laboratory, RIKEN, Japan

No.Manufacturing

MethodOuter dimensions（ W×D×H: mm ）

Weight(g)

Material

Model-1 Stereolithography 120×87×140 225 Liquid Photopolymer

Model-2 Stereolithography 90×65×105 114 Liquid Photopolymer

Model-3 3D Printing 90×65×105 226 Gypsum Powder

Our models

Model-1 Model-2 Model-3(Enlarge Model) (Life-Size Model) (Life-Size Model)

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Our Models (From a different angle)

Model-1 Model-2 Model-3(Enlarge Model) (Life Size Model) (Life Size Model) Stereolithography Stereolithography 3D Printing

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apex of heart

base of heart

aorta

superior vena cava

inferior vena cava

pulmonary trunk

pulmonary vein

coronary artery

Recognition Test

10 subjects (8 boys and 2 girls): totally blindThe duration of the test: 20 min per a subject

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Use: Model-1 Correct Incorrect

1. Apex of heart and base of heart 10 0

2. Aorta 10 0

3. Superior vena cava 10 0

4. Inferior vena cava 10 0

5. Pulmonary trunk 10 0

6. Pulmonary vein 10 0

7. Coronary artery 10 0

Results (1)

Level of understanding of outer shape of heart after touching

(Number of subjects)

7 1(apex)

1(base)

23

4

5

6

Recognition Test

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Use: Model-2 and Model-3Model-2 > Model-3

Model-3 > Model-2

Model-2 = Model-3

Level of tactually feeling 4 5 1

Results (2)

Level of tactually feeling of material

(Number of subjects)

Model-2 (Photopolymer)

Same size but different materials

Model-3(Gypsum Powder)

Recognition Test

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Use: Model-1 and Model-2Model-1 > Model-2

Model-2 > Model-1

Model-1 = Model-2

Level of understanding 8 1 1

Results (3)

Level of understanding by touching according to size of model

(Number of subjects)

Same material(photopolymer) but different size

Model-1 (Enlarge Model)

Model-2 (Life-Size Model)

Recognition Test

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Conclusion

•To understand the blood vessels of heart, enlarged model (Model-1) is suitable

•To understand the whole shape of the heart, life-size model (Model-2 and Model-3) is suitable.

•Our heart shape models are useful for teaching anatomy to the blind people.

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This work was partially supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) (18200049) of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).

Kind cooperation to our recognition test:Special Needs Education School for the Visually Impaired, University of Tsukuba

Acknowledgements:

Thank you

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• Layered manufacturing techniques have been used for modelling complex shapes from three-dimensional data acquired using a computer.

• In this study, we generated three-dimensional models of the human heart by layered manufacturing; using these models, visually handicapped persons could trace the shape of a heart by touching.

• We assessed the level of understanding of the visually handicapped persons about the external structure of the heart and the position of blood vessels.

Introduction

Outer shape of Model

10 mm

Model-3 　　Model-2

ICCHP 2012

Problems

3B SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTSFAME MASTER

1. 冠状動脈がわかりづらい2. 心底の血管が密集していて区別しづらい3. 型による製品なので、 ユーザーの希望に沿った形状変更が出来ない

材質　 PVC ＝ポリ塩化ビニル　 PS ＝ポリスチレン　 ABS ＝いずれも柔らかいプラスティック、熱可塑性 (thermo plastic)光造形のエポキシ樹脂は熱硬化性

哺乳類の心臓を実際に解剖するのは良いが柔らかくて形が定まらないものは立体形状の認識が困難