Working with Professor Francis LeBouthillier, the goal of our research project was to create a series of accurate and responsive fetal models to help surgeons visualize the complex physiology of a newly developing fetus and their associated pathologies. These models will provide surgeons with the visual and tactile information necessary to confidently implement highly complicated fetal surgical procedures.
Medical surgeons need to hone their skills prior to performing high-risk surgical procedures on fetuses in utero and on newborns. To date, highly representational 3-dimensional fetal models, that have life-like physical properties, do not exist.