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<br class="t-last-br" /> Recently the RLML Makerspace hosted a workshop for students in the Master&rsquo;s degree program for Anesthesiologist Assistants. Each student received their own 3D-printed larynx model, which they can use for study. The Makerspace staff encourages other faculty members to schedule similar workshops with them. Find out more!<br class="t-last-br" />

Ruth Lilly Medical Library Makerspace Offers 3D-Printed Larynx Workshop for IU School of Medicine Anesthesiology Class

Master's Students in the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program listen as Nexus Manager Cassandra Jones explains how to use TinkerCAD, a beginner-friendly free 3D modeling software.Nexus Manager Cassandra Jones leads 3D-printing workshop in the RLML Makerspace.

Master's Students in the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program listen as Nexus
Manager Cassandra Jones explains how to use TinkerCAD, a beginner-friendly
free 3D modeling software

The Ruth Lilly Medical Library (RLML) Makerspace provides medical students and faculty members access to tools and equipment for prototyping and design. Makerspaces like the one at RLML are becoming increasingly popular, especially in medicine, with some medical schools now incorporating them into their curriculum. One way the Ruth Lilly Medical Library is incorporating the use of its Makerspace is by hosting workshops on 3D printing for medical students. This service works especially well when a faculty member requests it for their class.

Recently the RLML Makerspace hosted a workshop for students in the Master’s degree program for Anesthesiologist Assistants. The workshop covered a range of topics, including how to locate anatomical 3D models, how to determine the printability of 3D models, how to prepare 3D models for 3D printing in a slicing program, and how to send a 3D print on a 3D printer. The students learned about the different types of 3D printers available and the materials that can be used in 3D printing. In addition, the students learned how to evaluate the quality of the 3D prints and how to identify and address common issues that can arise during the printing process.

Image of a 3D-printed larynx that was given to each student who attended this workshop. (Image originally posted by students to their program's Instagram page @iumsaprogram) One key aspect of the workshop was the use of a slicing program. A slicer is a program that converts a 3D model into instructions for the printer to create the object layer by layer. During the workshop, the students learned how to use a slicer to prepare their models for printing and how to adjust various parameters to optimize print quality.

After the workshop, each student received their own 3D-printed larynx model, which they can use for study. In a social media post after the workshop, students highlighted the value of the workshop commenting  "A solid understanding of airway management can only be improved by having our very own larynx models."

The Makerspace staff encourages other faculty members to schedule similar workshops with them. The RLML Makerspace can hold groups of up to 10 students at a time, and larger classes should be split into units of 10 or fewer. Workshops can be scheduled by contacting the Makerspace staff via email at rlmltech@iupui.edu.

 

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IU School of Medicine

With more than 60 academic departments and specialty divisions across nine campuses and strong clinical partnerships with Indiana’s most advanced hospitals and physician networks, Indiana University School of Medicine is continuously advancing its mission to prepare healers and transform health in Indiana and throughout the world.