Easy three-dimensional scanning technology for anatomy education using a free cellphone app

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Anatomy
• 3D Technology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional anatomy education, limiting hands-on access to specimens.
• Learning gross anatomy effectively often requires more than textbook study, necessitating tactile and visual interaction with anatomical structures.
• Existing 3D technologies for anatomy education can be prohibitively expensive for many institutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop cost-effective 3D anatomy models for online lectures using a free mobile application.
• To assess the feasibility and quality of 3D anatomical models created with accessible smartphone technology.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the free Qlone application software for 3D scanning of various anatomical specimens, including adult and fetal skulls, mandible, temporal bone, cervical vertebra, and ilium.
• Scanned and exported 53 distinct anatomical structures into a 3D digital format.
• Conducted an evaluation of the 3D models' visibility and quality by nine independent observers.

Main Results:

• The Qlone app successfully generated 3D anatomical models from physical specimens.
• Visibility was rated as good or acceptable for the majority of the 53 evaluated anatomical structures.
• The created 3D models offer a viable supplement for online anatomy instruction.

Conclusions:

• A free and user-friendly 3D scanning app can empower anatomy educators to enhance online course content.
• This method provides an affordable solution for creating essential 3D anatomical resources, improving accessibility for medical and dental students.
• The study highlights the potential of mobile technology in overcoming limitations in remote anatomy education.