The document discusses a project focused on creating three-dimensional models of the human heart to assist visually impaired individuals in tracing and understanding its structure. Utilizing layered manufacturing techniques, the research evaluated the effectiveness of various models through recognition tests involving blind participants. The findings suggest that enlarged models are better for understanding blood vessel locations, while life-size models are more suitable for grasping the overall shape of the heart.

1. 13th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs (ICCHP2012)
July 11, 2012, University of Linz
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

2. 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 Geometry
FUJIYOSHI, Mamoru / Educational Technology
IKEGAMI, Yuji / Design, Manufacturing
KANEKO, Takeshi / Special Education for the Visually Impaired
OOUCHI, Susumu / Special Education for the Visually Impaired
WATANABE, Yasunari / Crystallography
YAMAZAWA, Kenji / Manufacturing
2

3. In ICCHP2010,
we presented
five papers and
eight posters and exhibitions.
Mathematically Defined Curved Surfaces 3

4. Our Exhibitions in ICCHP2010
Polyhedra
Crystallographic
Teaching Materials
4

5. Our Exhibitions in ICCHP2010
Mars Moon Venus Earth
Planets
Monna Lisa
Tactile Painting
Radiolarian Radiolarian Foraminifera
Skeleton of Plankton 5

6. Problem of Models on the Market
3B SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTS FAME MASTER
Two problems on outer shape
1. Blood Vessels are too crowded together to make a distinction.
2. Coronary Artery are unclear for the tactile observation.
6

7. Improvements
1. Make the open space between Blood Vessels
2. Raise the Coronary Artery
Our Key Technologies
CAD + Layered Manufacturing
7

8. Principle of Layered manufacturing
Stereolithography
3D data Laser beam
Solidified
layer
Liquid
Platform Photopolymer
⇒
1st layer 4th layer Last
layer
3D Printing
Roller Inkjet device
Powder
Liquid binder 3D model
Slice data (gypsum)
Clinging part
Thickness of each layer
Platform in the models = 0.1 mm.
8

9. Layered manufacturing machine Yamazawa Laboratory,
RIKEN, Japan
Layered manufacturing machine
Wax Infiltration unit
Data Control PC Depowder unit
Stereolithography
3D Printing
(SOUP250, CMET) (Z402C, Z Corp.) 9

10. Our models
Manufacturing Outer dimensions Weight
No. Material
Method （ W×D×H: mm ） (g)
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
Model-1 Model-2 Model-3
(Enlarge Model) (Life-Size Model) (Life-Size Model) 10

11. Our Models (From a different angle)
Model-1 Model-2 Model-3
(Enlarge Model) (Life Size Model) (Life Size Model)
Stereolithography Stereolithography 3D Printing
11

12. Recognition Test
10 subjects (8 boys and 2 girls): totally blind
The duration of the test: 20 min per a subject
aorta pulmonary trunk
pulmonary vein
superior vena cava base of heart
inferior vena cava apex of heart
coronary artery
12

13. Recognition Test Results (1)
Level of understanding of outer shape of heart after touching
Use: Model-1 Correct Incorrect
1. Apex of heart and base of heart 10 0 2 5
3 6
2. Aorta 10 0
3. Superior vena cava 10 0 1(base)
4. Inferior vena cava 10 0
5. Pulmonary trunk 10 0
6. Pulmonary vein 10 0
4 1(apex)
7. Coronary artery 10 0 7
(Number of subjects)
13

14. Recognition Test Results (2)
Level of tactually feeling of material
Model-2 > Model-3 > Model-2 =
Use: Model-2 and Model-3
Model-3 Model-2 Model-3
Level of tactually feeling 4 5 1
(Number of subjects)
Model-2 Model-3
(Photopolymer) (Gypsum Powder)
Same size but different materials 14

15. Recognition Test Results (3)
Level of understanding by touching according to size of model
Model-1 > Model-2 > Model-1 =
Use: Model-1 and Model-2
Model-2 Model-1 Model-2
Level of understanding 8 1 1
(Number of subjects)
Model-1 Model-2
(Enlarge Model) (Life-Size Model)
Same material(photopolymer) but different size
15

16. 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.
16

17. Thank you
Acknowledgements:
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
17

19. Introduction
• 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.

20. Outer shape of Model
Model-3
10 mm Model-2
ICCHP 2012

21. Problems 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
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
3B SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTS
FAME MASTER
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