Case Study: Ochsner Health System achieves life-saving, precision surgical planning with Materialise Mimics inPrint

Bespoke 3D Anatomical Modeling for 5-Year-Old Jalanea

Ochsner Health System faced a high-stakes surgical challenge when five-year-old patient Jalanea Lowe was diagnosed with atlanto-axial instability—a dangerous instability at the junction of skull and spine that threatened paralysis or death. To plan and safely execute the delicate procedure required to remove bone and stabilize the cervical vertebrae, Ochsner’s m3D lab partnered with Materialise and used the Mimics inPrint software alongside point-of-care 3D printing.

Materialise’s Mimics inPrint processed Jalanea’s CT, MRI and 3D echo DICOM data into verified 3D-printable files (printed on an Ultimaker S5 in Ochsner’s lab), producing an accurate anatomical model that surgeons used to rehearse the operation and explain steps to the family. The result: a meticulously planned surgery that proceeded exactly as intended, successful stabilization of the spine with reduced risk of paralysis, the model archived in the patient record for ongoing care, and faster, more integrated point-of-care 3D printing capability for Ochsner going forward.

Ochsner Health System

Korak Sarkar

Managing Director