This 3D-Printed Vertebra Is A Huge Step Forward For Medicine

[KamaAina]

http://www.businessinsider.com/3d-printing-can-create-replacement-bones-2014-8

"This is the first use of a 3D printed vertebra as an implant for orthopedic spine surgery in the world,” said the surgeon behind the project, Dr. Liu Zhongjun, director of the orthopedics department at Peking University....

But last month Zhongjun and his team installed a 3D-printed bone specially designed to fit precisely into Minghao's spine. Zhongjun and his team have been working on this advance in medical technology for several years and began clinical trials in 2012, but Minghao is the first person to receive this implant, and one month after surgery, he is reportedly doing well....

Most consumer 3D printers build things out of plastic, though different materials can be used by different machines. The Chinese team printed this implant using titanium powder, the material most orthopedic implants are made from because it's biocompatible, light, and strong.

Custom printing the implant according to a scan of Minghao's spine allowed the surgical team to do more than just make a new vertebra that fit perfectly in-between the first and third vertebrae. The titanium replacement bone is filled with tiny pores that will allow real bone to naturally grow through it, fusing it even more naturally as part of Minghao's spine.

[femmocrat]

1. That is amazing. nt

[hifiguy]

2. Wow. This is going to be a huge breakthrough.

This is how to use advanced technology instead of building better killing machines.

[0rganism]

3. awe-inspiring

some of the other amazing stuff that's been done with 3d printing is linked from the article.
a 3d printed skull implant. no kidding.

[sunnystarr]

4. This is really exciting! K&R (nt)

[eridani]

5. This should give medical tourism a big boost

It goes the other way also, but this could keep rich Chinese home
http://www.patientsbeyondborders.com/facilitator/china-medical-tourism-0

As the exclusive partner of Shanghai Medical Tourism Products and Promotion Platform (SHMTPPP), China Medical Tourism both promotes medical travel to Shanghai and supports patients traveling there for healthcare. With close government support, China Medical Tourism (CMT) has access to top facilities in Shanghai. Although CMT can help patients seeking healthcare options in just about any specialty, GammaKnife radiosurgery, stem cell therapy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine are the most sought after procedures.

[Ms. Toad]

6. They're also working on a liver -

crossing my fingers that they get it working before my daughter needs a new one!

http://www.3ders.org/articles/20121112-world-first-3d-liver-printing-from-stem-cells.html