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Updated: Jan 9, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancing Human Cardiac Anatomy Through Multi-Scale Analysis of Hearts
Published on: June 28, 2024
Digital curation of formalin-preserved heart specimens via 3D photometric scanning: A report on recent archiving
Chrystalle Katte Carreon1, Stephen P Sanders2, Kyle M McClary2
1The Stella and Richard Van Praagh Cardiac Registry, Departments of Cardiology, Pathology, and Cardiac Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Insights
Photogrammetry offers a practical solution for digitally archiving wet cardiac specimens, preserving detailed anatomical information for congenital heart defect research. This method overcomes limitations of physical specimen degradation and improves accessibility for education and clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pathology
- Medical Imaging
- Digital Archiving
Background:
- Archived cardiac specimens are crucial for studying congenital heart defects (CHDs) and acquired heart disease.
- Physical deterioration and declining autopsy rates hinder the acquisition and use of these valuable specimens.
- Micro-CT scanning is suboptimal for wet formalin-preserved cardiac specimens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate photogrammetry as a practical, high-fidelity digital archiving technique for wet cardiac specimens.
- To assess the feasibility of creating detailed 3D models from wet cardiac samples.
Main Methods:
- Ninety wet cardiac specimens were digitized using a handheld 3D scanner (Artec Space Spider).
- A custom suspension apparatus was used to optimize surface scanning.
- Scan data were processed and refined to create anatomically accurate, textured 3D models, validated by cardiac morphologists.
Main Results:
- Photogrammetry generated high-resolution, color-accurate 3D models capturing intricate anatomical details, including internal structures.
- A custom suspension device improved visualization of internal cardiac chambers.
- Manual post-processing was needed for smaller, darker hearts and delicate valve structures.
Conclusions:
- Photogrammetry is a practical and effective method for digitally archiving wet cardiac specimens.
- This technique preserves valuable anatomical data, mitigating loss from specimen degradation.
- Digital models enhance accessibility for research, education, and clinical applications in cardiology.
Background:
Archived cardiac specimens are invaluable for understanding congenital heart defects (CHDs) and acquired heart disease. However, physical deterioration and declining autopsy rates limit ongoing acquisition and use. While micro-CT scanning has been used to digitally archive wax-infiltrated specimens, most cardiac specimens in our collection are wet formalin-preserved hearts, for which micro-CT is suboptimal.
Objectives:
This study evaluates photogrammetry as a practical, high-fidelity digital archiving technique for wet cardiac specimens.
Methods:
Eighty-four wet cardiac specimens representing a broad spectrum of CHD and other cardiac diseases were digitized using a handheld Artec Space Spider 3D scanner. Specimens were suspended via a custom apparatus to optimize surface coverage. Scan data were processed with Artec Studio and refined in Blender to generate anatomically accurate, textured 3D models. Two experienced cardiac morphologists validated the digital reconstructions against the physical specimens.
Results:
Photogrammetry produced high-resolution, color-accurate 3D models closely replicating anatomical details, including complex internal structures. The custom suspension device enhanced visualization, particularly of internal chambers. Challenges included scanning smaller, darker hearts and delicate valve structures, which required manual post-processing. The digital models are accessible via a cloud-based platform for research and education.
Conclusions:
Photogrammetry is a practical and effective method for digitally archiving wet cardiac specimens, preserving valuable anatomical data, and mitigating loss due to specimen degradation. This technique facilitates broader accessibility and enhances educational and clinical applications in the study of CHDs and other cardiac diseases.
