3D-printed wound channels

Area of Science:

• Ballistics
• Forensic Science
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Glycerine soap is a unique soft tissue simulant for visualizing temporary wound cavities.
• Glycerine soap presents challenges in weight and dehydration, hindering its practical use.
• Current methods lack easily storable and manipulable representations of temporary cavities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop lightweight, storable 3D-printed models of temporary wound cavities.
• To overcome the limitations of traditional glycerine soap simulants.
• To create educational tools for demonstrating ballistic temporary cavities.

Main Methods:

• Temporary cavities were created in glycerine soap blocks using various firearms and ammunition.
• Computed tomography (CT) scans were used to capture the 3D geometry of each cavity.
• 3D printing technology was employed to reproduce the cavity surfaces.

Main Results:

• Clear and lightweight 3D-printed representations of temporary cavities were successfully generated.
• The 3D models are easily stored and manipulated.
• The methodology provides a novel approach for visualizing ballistic effects.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing offers a practical solution for creating educational models of temporary wound cavities.
• These models overcome the storage and handling limitations of glycerine soap.
• The technique is suitable for demonstration purposes in teaching and training scenarios.