3D printing is now offering everything from affordable prosthetics to replacement body parts. Discover the incredible and amazing ways that this new technology is changing lives for the better as we dive into the wonderful world of medical marvels.
Discover the incredible and amazing ways that this new technology is changing lives for the better as we dive into the wonderful world of medical marvels.
The Cyborg Beast Design
The cyborg beast is a project created with the intention of allowing the printing of low-cost prosthetics for underserved populations.
In other words, they’re making affordable prosthetics available to the masses. These 3D printed limbs are licensedunder the Creative Commons-Attribution-Non-Commercial licenseand are essentially available for anyone to use. An impressive way to improve lives across the globe.
Tailor-made sensors
What you’re seeing here is a fully personalised heart sensor. A 3D printed sensor that’s a perfect fit the for the user, as everyone’s organs are different.
What you’re seeing here is a fully personalised heart sensor. New 3D printing technology allows bioengineers to create realistic models of a patients heart that a stretchy sensor can then be built around. The result of this is a life-saving sensor that’s a perfect fit the for the user, as everyone’s organs are different.
This technology will help ensure people with delicate tickers get help right when they need it most.
3D printed blood vessels
Engineers are currently working on improving medical 3D printing technology to allow the mass printing of human organs for transplant.
This work includes the creation of viable blood vessels that could be used in the human body. A recent breakthrough has even allowed Chinese scientists to successfully implant these vessels in monkeys.
These sorts of medical advancements could see the need for transplant waiting lists negated and people’s lives being saved in much more cost-effective ways.
Accurate micro-tools
3D printing in the medical field isn’t just limited to valves, vessels and body parts.
One company is also using these techniques and technologies to create micro-tools capable of performing accurate and intricate surgery with less risk.
These minuscule surgical instruments include forceps less than a millimetre in diameter and allow for the creation of a range of new tools to help surgeons operate safely on a daily basis.
3D printed heart valves
This bio-printing system ensures doctors can create a patient-specific heart valve that’s more likely to take and keep the user alive.
Heart disease is a problem that affects people from all ages and walks of life. A simple valve defect can be easily fatal if left untreated. Current treatment for adults involves the use of prosthetic valves, but these aren’t suitable for everyone - especially not children.
In steps 3D printing, with the creation of precise bio-printing technology that allows the fabrication of living heart valves that are a perfect fit for the patient. This bio-printing system ensures doctors can create a patient-specific heart valve that’s more likely to take and keep the user alive.
Complex surgical tools
Other companies are using 3D printing to create complex surgical tools too.
Here, the Dragonflex Micro is a miniaturised tool designed to be reliable and precise even with components on such a small scale. Impressive that these tiny 3D printed tools are capable of saving lives.
Supporting exoskeletons
3D printing is helping with the development of exoskeletons designed to help disabled people by giving them back the ability to move in ways they couldn’t.
3D printing is helping people on the outside too. The development of these sorts of exoskeletons helps disabled people by giving them support where they need it most.
This enables them to move in new and wonderful ways that their body would never normally allow. Children with congenital diseases are suddenly capable of moving around like their friends and joy is brought to their entire families via simple printed technology.
Transplant jaws
An 83-year-old woman was faced with issues of a chronic bone infection and doctors turned to 3D printing to print a new jaw.
When an 83-year-old woman was faced with issues of a chronic bone infection and doctors believe that her age made reconstructive surgery too risky, they turned to 3D printing.
This newly printed jaw was the result. A complex model that needed to include joints for movement as well as cavities to encourage muscle attachment and the regrowth of veins and nerves, it was initially a tough design. The result, however, was a success and the woman was able to leave the hospital just four days after the operation with a new jaw intact.
Real bone from a 3D printer
3D printing in calcium phosphate, the main constituent of natural bone, allows bone repair like never before.
After a CT-scan of a patient, biomedical engineers print a perfect fit replacement to repair or replace broken bones or problem areas. This 3D printing is slightly different from others on our list as it makes use of printing in calcium phosphate - the main constituent of natural bone.
Once the 3D printed material is grafted to the patients own bone, the two natural materials bond together and “unify” over the coming months. CT-Bone gives the best fit and best results in this sort of application.
Flexible bone implants
Also referred to as “hyperelastic bone” this newly developed technology is basically a kind of 3D printed ink that can be used to form flexible bone implants in any shape, size or form.
These new implants are embraced by the body and due to their flexibility, they also allow for infiltration of blood vessels and slowly turn into natural bone within the body.
