3D Printed Spinal Implant
A new era of orthopedic surgery is taking shape at Peking University. Their doctors are able to create titanium implants that fit perfectly in a patient’s body.
Dr. Liu Zhongjun in Peking University has been using 3D printers to develop new spinal implants. These implants have been custom designed to fit each patient’s body. According to their report, not a single patient has complained about any undesirable side effects or adverse reactions. Clinical trials were started a year ago and they have used dozens of such implants for more than fifty patients. 3D printing has opened up a new world of technology where we have the ability to customize a wide variety of applications in the medical field.
Dr.Liu was impressed with 3D printer features. In the past he had used clinical titanium mesh but with the growth of bone, titanium mesh could easily stick into the bone and cause collapse. That’s not the case with 3D printed implants. The 3D printed implants fit the bone perfectly, and are more reliable than traditional titanium mesh.
In the coming years, 3D printing will take us to a very advanced and different level of medial innovation that has previously been thought impossible. The medical field is currently utilizing 3D printing technologies to their fullest potential, but they are pouring resources into research so that they may reach the goal of printing a. 3D organ in the near future.
3D printers are also used to print custom hearing aids that fit exactly to the patient’s ears. The technology also has a huge potential to aid people with disabilities. 3D printing technology is moving very rapidly and we can even print living cells!
Future 3D printing applications for the medical field will certainly emerge with the development of suitable additional materials for diagnostic and therapeutic use.