Russian Student Builds AR App That Turns Thyroid Scans Into 3D Models

For the first time, doctors can transform flat medical images of the thyroid into detailed 3D models, offering unprecedented clarity for both surgery and medical training.

A student at the Moscow-based MIREA — Russian Technological University — has developed an augmented reality (AR) app that changes how doctors can study the thyroid gland. Mikhail Anikin’s software takes standard two-dimensional scans of a thyroid phantom and converts them into interactive 3D models. Surgeons can now explore the organ’s structure in AR, rotate it, slice it along different axes, and highlight tissues by density — a leap forward from traditional flat imaging.

Until now, physicians had to mentally reconstruct a 3D image from 2D slices, a process that required experience and imagination. The new tool not only delivers a manipulable 3D view but also allows users to compare patient scans with reference models of a healthy thyroid. This can accelerate the detection of anomalies and make surgical planning more precise.

The thyroid might weigh only 15–20 grams, but it regulates everything from metabolism to heart function. Around 200 million people worldwide suffer from thyroid disorders — a figure that underlines the potential global impact of Anikin’s work.

By merging advanced 3D visualization with AR, this app could redefine thyroid imaging. Beyond diagnostics, it opens fresh possibilities for medical education, offering students a more tangible grasp of anatomy. If such tools become standard practice, they could make surgeries safer and training more immersive — setting a new benchmark for medical technology.