Using low-cost 3D-printed models of prenatal ultrasonography for visually-impaired expectant persons

For visually impaired or blind patients, the experience of pregnancy sets them apart from nondisabled people for whom viewing of the first ultrasound has become a social and emotional milestone.

We proposed the use of 3D-printed models to allow the societal inclusion of visually impaired or blind expectant parents.

Visually impaired expectant parents were proposed to touch a 3D printed sensory vector of their prenatal classic ultrasonography.

After a classic ultrasound assessment was performed, selected volumes were processed and 3D-printed with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Patient satisfaction was recorded after they manipulated the models.

A total of 42 prenatal 3D prints were for 12 expectant parents, used during 20 ultrasonographic sessions with visually impaired or blind expectant parents. During 13 of them (65%), it was the mother who was affected by a visual loss whereas the father was the parent affected by the disability during 7 sessions (35%). The parent affected by the disability was congenitally blind and Braille-reader in 9 ultrasonography sessions (45%). All expectant visually impaired or blind parents expressed very significant satisfaction with the use of 3D models for inclusive use.

We have shown that acrylonitrile butadiene styrene-printed models improve the sonographic experience of visually impaired or blind expectant parents. They can thereby perform their own mental representation process by extrapolating sensory information obtained from the 3D tactile support.

These low-cost 3D-printed models improve the inclusion of visually impaired or blind expectant parents, by offering them a sensory vector of information.