A professor in Surgery and Medical Education at Northwestern has partnered with engineers from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine to create 3D printed models of rib cages to provide simulation training to pediatric surgeons. This represents a shift in the educational paradigm in medical training from one of observation and practice to a simulation model. The 3D printed ribcage was combined with bovine tissue in order to give a more realistic experience to the student. There is hope that the provision of such simulation education could flatten the learning curve for pediatric surgeons thereby reducing the risk of errors that come from lack of experience. more details on this story may be found here: http://3dprint.com/22767/3d-printed-rib-cage

Below is a picture of a 3D printed infant rib cage model. Pretty cool, huh?