Edible Chocolate Brain from MRI Scan

Overview
This instructable will show you how to create an edible chocolate brain from sliced data sourced from an MRI scan.

Our colleague at Inition, Andy Millns had his brain MRI scanned as part of a research project (he didn't say what into!) and we managed to sneak a copy (get your copy below!).

The main steps involved are:
- Converting sliced DICOM data into the STL file format (a 3D geometry format widely used for 3D printing)
- Editing that model to clean up
- 3D printing a solid model
- Producing a latex mould
- Finally casting the chocolate and eating (image of Andy eating his own brain above).

We've made the original DICOM files and the STL file available for download below under the Creative Commons Attribution License. If you like the project - we would be very happy if you voted for it in the Instructables 'Make it Real' challenge - the voting button is top right of this page.

Step 1: DICOM Data Import

First we need to convert the DICOM data from the MRI scan into 3D geometry.

We did this using InVesalius 3, an open source medical application (available for Windows and GNU Linux).

First, import your sliced DICOM image files into InVesalius. For highly detailed data you may need to limit the number of images that are used to generate the 3D model.

Invesalius Download Link; http://svn.softwarepublico.gov.br/trac/invesalius

Comments

[Claydiz]

This is very awesome. I am trying to do this with my cancer that I had. I have the DICOM files and I am able to see my scan in 3d but I cant get the cancer to show up at all.

[picturesofsilver]

wwoww this is unbelievable. My son has been telling me about the 3D printer for a year, now I understand the basics about it. Thanks! Wonder if you could do a baby's face from a sonogram and make her a doll from it? Imagine her very own doll that was actually a model of her own image!

[ProbioticSoundsystem]

this is so cool!

[professorred]

I am just a little confused. In step 4, you cut the brain in half but when removing the print, it looked together to me. Especially in step 6. just wondering how the two halves got back together.

[ckrause3]

This is wonderful! I have collected many brain MRI's and CT's over the years (Yes, I'm a doctor) and have attempted to turn the DICOMs into 3D models. I never knew about InVesalius; You have made me very happy!

Next, I'm going to try files from the Visible Human Project: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/visible/

[Marstole]

Mmm brains! Here's my zombie seals of approval

[gjpetch]

Good luck with the make it real challenge! This tutorial is just spectacular.

[kdlan]

It would be helpful to have more details on this step, please. Especially since the manual for this program is only available in Portuguese!

[Lectric Wizard]

I'd like to do this with my own brain but they don't have a printer with 2 cell resolution do they ??

[rosemarybeetle]

This is a great job. I love the fact that you have hacked loads of really different layers of tech here. The 3d stuff is great, but also from a brain scan - genius! Mould-making, chocolate-making, eating one's own brain, hilarious.

Great stuff and lots of details - love it!

[mowdish]

I have the image slices from my brain but not the origian data. I wonder if there is a good way to work backwards from those. If not I'll have to track down the psych student that was running the experiment. I assume that if I eat my own brain I will acquire all of the powers I had when the data was collected. Mmmmm, younger me.

[Inition]

What format are they in? The MRI data we had was stored as image slices, but in the DICOM format.

[mowdish]

They are in the _film_ format, which is to say that they were printed out on film. I would have to scan the images to get a digital copy. Probably for the best. Younger me had a lot of crazy ideas.

[drmri]

You should anonymize the DICOM files of the brain MRI. The full name, date of birth, scan location, etc. is all there. DICOM files are like JPEGs on steroids for medical imaging. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DICOM

[Inition]

Thanks for pointing this our drmi, we've taken them down for now.

[Fymles]

Yummy!

...it awake the chocolate craving zombie in me...

[Ceiling cat]

Chocolate braaaaain! Make you turn your head the other way!

[adamvan2000]

Glad I'm not the only one who thought of Tay Zonday when I saw this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnH5WgKBRCw

[Ceiling cat]

I wondered if I was the only one. I would have been surprised if I was.

[CreativeTools]

Excellent idea and use of a ZPrinter! :)

[wooac]

Can you really tell if its your brain? Nice project lack of recognition bothers me.

[Inition]

To be honest, I wouldn't be able to distinguise my chocolate brain my anyone elses! Could you?

In terms of whether the chocolate brain resembles the MRI data, absolutely, although maybe we could do a better job of showing this in the images.

[Lectric Wizard]

HAS TO BE ASKED ---Hope that's not life size Andy !!! HeHe

[Inition]

Hi Lectric Wizard - yes, it explained the rattling sound I've heard all these years. ;)

Andy

[suayres]

That's pretty cool, though I have to agree about the "creepy factor". Even so. Here's a thought: how about making your significant other a chocolate heart, taken from an MRI image....

[warlekin]

End-to-end, cool... but there's some creep factor in the thought of eating a psuedo-brain.

Neat idea. Well done.

[neutrion]

Cool - I love it