Why is UniMelb 2D printing hearts? 🫀

Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning design experts and The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) heart specialists have collaborated to create the world’s first anatomically accurate set of three-dimensional paediatric heart models 🫀

The innovative project, called Heartrium, is now in use at the RCH helping families better understand complex congenital heart conditions that often require surgery in infancy.

The models are developed by a cross-disciplinary team of experts and led by A/Prof Rochus Hinkel and Dr Charles Larson, Paediatric Intensive Care Specialist at the Royal Children’s Hospital – allow families to touch, explore and understand their child’s condition.

“Parents are absorbing complex, frightening information at a time of immense stress. By giving them a tactile model and a clear visual map, we replace confusion with understanding – and support more empowering conversations" said A/Prof Hinkel.

This project is generously supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation and Finnan’s Gift.

Tap the link in bio to learn more 🔗