ASU engineers use 3-D technology to improve cardiac care

Arizona State University bioengineers are aiding Phoenix Children’s Hospital in effectively treating patients with congenital heart defects.

David Frakes and Justin Ryan helped develop the hospital’s 3-D Cardiac Print Lab, which produces 3-D models that provide anatomically precise depictions of patient’s hearts.

Physicians use the models to devise surgical strategies based on each individual’s specific condition.

Frakes is an associate professor in the School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering and the School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, two of ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Ryan is a biomedical engineering doctoral student.

They have also been using medical imaging and 3-D technology to build a library of models that replicate a wide range of various heart defects.

The models provide a guide for diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart disease and other cardiovascular malformations.

The National Public Radio affiliate station in the Phoenix area reported on the potential for the ASU engineers’ work to significantly improve cardiac care.