Professor Saeed Ashraf, Consultant Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon and his team, in collaboration with the engineering department in Swansea University, developed a computer-generated “3-D Model of the Heart” to help improve the performance of cardiac surgeons. Data is used, from the CT and cardiac MRI scans of patients to design a 3-D model of the heart. This computational and physical 3-D Heart Model allows cardiac surgeons to visualise their patient’s ailing heart even before they operate thus reducing chances for any unpleasant, unexpected surprises during surgery. It enables them to anticipate problems pre-operatively as the surgeon can not only see the inside of the patient’s heart, but can also practice their surgical technique on the Heart Model. Professor Ashraf has used this model with great success not only in his clinical practice but also as a training tool for his trainee surgeons. He has presented this novel technology in several internationally renowned symposiums and journals. This innovative work also resulted in a successful PhD for our trainee surgeon.
