A University of Cincinnati Venture Lab startup, Meteora3D, is at the forefront of providing ultra-fast, patient-specific 3D-printed anatomical models for surgeons worldwide.
Surgeons rely heavily on touch and spatial awareness to navigate complex procedures, yet traditional 2D imaging like CT scans often falls short in conveying a full anatomical picture for patients.
While medical 3D printing exists, current solutions can take days to produce a single model—an impractical delay for trauma and emergency cases.
Recognizing this limitation, Prashanth Ravi, Ph.D., CEO of Meteora3D and faculty in the Department of Radiology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, partnered with Shane Cline, M.S., CTO of Meteora3D, to pioneer a technology that bridges the time gap between digital imaging and hands-on surgical planning.
“For surgeons, understanding anatomy through two-dimensional images can be challenging.
3D printing presents information in a way that aligns with how they think and work. That’s what drives us—to help them perform their jobs more efficiently,” says Ravi.
Inno Under One Roof
Meteora3D's journey began within the UC 1819 Innovation Hub, where Ravi participated in the UC Venture Lab pre-accelerator program in 2022. Initial prototypes were developed using high-performance 3D printers and CNC machines on-site at the UC Ground Floor Makerspace inside the 1819 building.
The Venture Lab program and 1819 resources provided essential business guidance, helping to transition the team’s research into a viable commercial product and startup company.
Meteora3D's innovative printing technology drastically accelerates this process, enabling same-day patient-specific organ models.
Holding an exact replica of a patient’s organ before surgery allows for better planning, reduced operative times, and improved patient outcomes.
From Concept to Commercialization
In August 2023, Meteora3D was officially incorporated, and less than a year later, in May 2024, the company secured its first major grant through Ohio’s Entrepreneurial Services Program, enabling continued prototype development. Working with UC Health, the team is now clinically testing its technology to refine and expand its capabilities across multiple surgical specialties, including cardiology and urology.
Game-Changing Impact in the Operating Room
Meteora3D's technology has already demonstrated its potential in real-world applications. In one case, a 3D-printed mitral valve model helped a cardiac surgeon determine that a minimally invasive approach was not suitable for a patient, leading to a more effective surgical alternative. This ability to physically assess patient anatomy before surgery is proving to be a game-changer across specialties.
Meteora3D’s efforts have also gained strong financial backing. To date, the startup has raised over $500,000, including $275,000 from a National Science Foundation SBIR Phase I grant and nearly $200,000 from the UC Venture Lab. Additionally, the company has a pending patent through UC’s Office of Technology Transfer and is currently testing its first beta prototype, with plans already in place for a second and third iteration.
Pushing the Boundaries of Medical Innovation
With the rapid evolution of automation and speed in medical 3D printing, Meteora3D aims to make this technology more accessible to hospitals and patients. “At the end of the day, that’s what drives us—knowing that our work directly improves patient outcomes,” says Ravi.
As they continue their journey, Ravi and Cline hope that Meteora3D inspires future innovators in the field of medical 3D printing. “Be patient, stay curious, and enjoy the process. Innovation takes time, but the impact it can have on lives makes every challenge worth it,” says Ravi.