4D Ultrascans Allow 3D Printed Models Of Unborn Fetus

When I took my partner to the hospital for her scans, we got black a white photos of the baby, the more traditional type of scan that I’m sure many of you will be familiar with. Then of course we have the more modern and little more expensive technology that allows you to view a 3D image on the screen, this is called a 4D ultrasound. So where do we go next? Why that would be 3D printing of course!

A company known as 3D Babies is now offering to turn your 4D ultrasound into a 3D printed model. Now while I applaud the fact that the technology used is out right awesome, and the fact that we can then render that image in physical form at a technology level that is available to your average consumer is also awesome, but the concept is just damn creepy.

“Imagine holding your baby before he or she is born.” reads their website, “This is a great way to share the excitement of your new baby with family and friends.” I’m sure that’s a real conversation starter “Here, hold my fetus!”. Maybe I’m being a little odd, to me this is something I couldn’t imagine me or my partner wanting to get printed, but I’m sure there are people out there that want a model fetus on their shelf at home. Either way, it certainly beats out having embarrassing baby photos “here’s one of little Timmy when he was -30 days old”.

The model will set you back $250 and I’m sure there are some people out there that will love to get this done. I do think it’s cool that they can do it, I just wouldn’t know what to do with the model after I had purchased it.

Thank you Engadget for providing us with this information.

Image courtesy of Engadget.