Thanks to 3D-printed sonograms, this blind couple was able to
experience their baby in a completely different way.
In 2012, Dr. Heron Werner applied 3D printing technology from fossils and mummies to obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Werner noticed the similarities in printing the fossils and thought it could be applied to ultrasounds.
“There was a 3D-printing project going on in 2007, where Computed Tomography was being used to image fossils and mummies at the National Museum of Brazil,” Dr. Werner told
Inside Edition. “I thought, ‘Why not use this technology to print fetuses?”
Dr. Werner, who is based out of Brazil, was successful with his idea and began to print 3D-sonograms. He even provided the service free of charge to visually-impaired couples.
Because of this amazing technology, blind Brazilian couple Ana Paula Silveira and Alvaro Zermiani can have their own personal ultrasound experience.
Source: Inside Edition
Before Silveira was familiar with this process, she was nervous about having an ultrasound and being able to form a clear picture in her head of her baby.
“My major concern was not only not being able to see on the ultrasound, but I also didn’t know if someone else would really be able to describe to me what my baby looked like,” Silveira explained to
Inside Edition.
Silveira caught an interview with Werner before she was pregnant, but kept the idea in her head. About a year later, she found out she was pregnant and contacted Dr. Werner to see if he would be interesting in helping her in the process.
Dr. Heron Werner agreed and followed Silveira through her pregnancy. He provided the couple with three different 3D printed ultrasounds, one for each trimester of her pregnancy.
Source: Inside Edition
“As you know for blind people, touch is really important and Dr. Heron provided an experience that we otherwise could not have had. It was life-changing,” Zermiani told
Inside Edition.
Silveira and Zermiani frequently share the 3D printed ultrasound with their son, who is now 3 years old.
“He knows it’s a model of him and we explained to him why it was made,” Silveira said to
Inside Edition. “He’s proud of it and he shows it to his friends.”
Source: Inside Edition
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