Cardiac Electrophysiology Demonstration Model created for Andrea Bocelli

Designed and Built by Sara Belko and Julia Ponzek

with consultation by Tod Corlett and Rob Pugliese

This fully 3D-printed elastic heart model combines artistry and functionality to create an immersive educational experience. When squeezed, it pulsates and illuminates, mimicking the electrophysiologic conduction pathway within the heart. Inspired by the visit of Andrea Bocelli, the Italian tenor with visual impairment, to Thomas Jefferson University in 2023, we saw this opportunity as a design challenge to showcase the creativity and ingenuity of our students.

Sara Belko, Health Design Lab Fellow, SKMC Student, and JeffSolves MedTech graduate teamed up with Julia Ponzek, another JeffSolves Graduate who is in the Jefferson Masters of Industrial Design program. Ultimately, they combined their strengths in Design and Medicine together to answer this challenge and create something truly special for our honored guest that perfectly represents what makes Jefferson special.

Specs —

The heart itself is made with an elastic material 3D-printed using a FormLabs 3B 3D printer. It was printed into two separate parts and then laser-welded together in the final assembly. The round base was printed on an Ultimaker S5 3D printer using Colorfabb Woodfill filament. This 3D printing filament contains wood fibers that provide a contrasting soft texture to the extruded black plastic text for a more appealing tactile experience. The white support structure and blue conduction pathway inside of the heart are 3D printed in white and blue using a rigid plastic material called PLA.

The electronics are controlled using an Arduino board connected to a 9V battery accessed under the base. The sensors, lights, and vibration motors are custom coded to provide a simulated sensory experience that demonstrates electrophysiologic function via proprioception.

Links —

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