Close-up view of the MedModeler at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., (Aug. 20, 2003) Close-up view of the MedModeler at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The machine uses three dimensional input generated bydata captured from magnetic resonance imaging to create an exact scale model for physicians and surgeons to study. The model created eliminates some probative surgeries and allows a replacement device to be built before surgery. The dark area below is a supportive water soluble base that is later removed, leaving only the full scale model. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Seth Rossman. File# 030820-N-9593R-016