A New Zealand business called Brainform is transforming MRI scans of human brains into 3D printed sculptures. You can either purchase one of their stock brain models, or have them custom print you a 3D printed full-scale replica of your own brain using MRI data provided by you.
For many of us the human brain is still a mystery, although most of us have a general sense of what the organ looks like. But thankfully we’ve probably never seen the real thing in person, and it’s even less likely that you’ve seen your own brain. But now, thanks to 3D printing, you can not only get a close up look at an exact replica of a human brain, but you can get a close up look at an exact replica of your brain. All that you need is an MRI scan of your brain, and Brainscan can create a 3D model for you.
The Wellington start-up has launched the beta version of its brain replicating service Brainform. Unfortunately the brain being replicated isn’t functional, but it certainly looks pretty cool. The brain replica will be 3D printed using the selective laser sintering process in an appropriately grey plastic material. Each hemisphere is printed separately, so it can be displayed on the included 3D printed stand as a complete organ, or you can simply display a single hemisphere. You will also receive an information sheet with facts and details about your specific brain including the size and shape.
A full-sized replica of your cortex 3D printed from your own MRI scans will cost $430, while a half size replica will cost you $140. And don’t worry, if you do not have an MRI of your brain, Brainform has stock cortex scans available. A full size replica will set you back $360, and a half-size replica will cost a pretty reasonable $100. Despite being in New Zealand, Brainform will ship to anywhere in the world
Okay, so some of you may not have an MRI because you’re lucky enough to have never required one. To those people I suggest that you buy one of their generic brain scans and just tell your friends that it’s your actual brain. What are they going to do, compare it to the real thing? But those of you who do have an MRI scan, you can upload the DICOM files directly in the shopping cart. If you had one in the past, but don’t have the scan data, the file still exists, you just need to contact your doctor and have them send it to you.
Currently the replica brain will be missing it’s corpus callosum and the cerebellum. Brainform is calling their website a “beta”, however that is just because the service is still new and they have limited offerings. But they are looking at expanding the parts of the brains that they can print, and they may change the way orders are processed so they encourage any feedback about their services. You can find out more information about the process, and buy yourself a copy of your melon on the website.
