A case study about how anatomical models created from medical scan data assisted UCLA surgeons separate twins who were joined at the head.

1. Biomedical Modeling, Inc. 1Biomedical Modeling, Inc. ♦ 2013
Crispin B. Weinberg, Ph.D. | President
Danice Y. Chou, B.S. | Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Modeling, Inc. | www.biomodel.com
Biomodels
Aid the Separation of
Conjoined Twins

2. Biomedical Modeling, Inc. 2
Who are we?
Biomedical Modeling, Inc.
is a Boston-based anatomical engineering company.
We make patient-specific anatomical models
from medical imaging data (CT, MRI, etc.) for
dental , medical, and engineering applications.

3. Biomedical Modeling, Inc. 3
One of our most famous cases was our involvement
in the surgical separation of the Alvarez twins from
Guatemala, who were conjoined at the head.
What do we do?

4. Biomedical Modeling, Inc. 4
Starting from CT scans, we made
biomodels of their skulls and shared brain
vasculature to give the surgeons at UCLA
better understanding of their anatomy.
What do we do?

5. Biomedical Modeling, Inc. 5
Why do we do it?
Our biomodels helped a team of surgeons visualize
the twins' pathological anatomy and communicate
with one another while planning the complex surgery.

6. Biomedical Modeling, Inc. 6
Why do we do it?
Over 50 medical professionals worked on the
twins during the 23-hour long procedure.

7. Biomedical Modeling, Inc. 7
Why do we do it?
When the girls woke up, they could
see each other for the first time.

8. Biomedical Modeling, Inc. 8
Why do we do it? The lead plastic-surgeon valued our models
so much, he called us right after the surgery
to thank us for our contribution.
“It went off like we
planned it. That
was really such a
great feeling.”
"No matter how good our
3D graphics are, there is
nothing like a model in
your hands that one can
actually play with."
Henry K. Kawamoto, Jr. MD,
DDS, FACS
UCLA Medical School

9. Biomedical Modeling, Inc. 9
With a successful surgery, the twins defied the
odds against survival.
Why do we do it?
Their story has inspired hope and has helped to
raise funds to bring medical treatment to
children from underdeveloped countries.

10. Biomedical Modeling, Inc. 10
Visit our website at www.biomodel.com, or
watch our video about the twins' separation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUVhms_fiHk
For more information