Feb.6, 2015 | By Alec
While we’ve reported many high-tech applications of 3D printing technology that could revolutionize the medical world, like 3D printed bio tissue for artificial organs and blood vessels, most of these will take years to be implemented and safe lives on a large scale. However, a new 3D innovation developed by scientists from the University of Sydney, that could revolutionize head trauma surgery, is already being trialed on patients right now.
As the Australian news source ABC reports, this new 3D printing application could make cranioplasty surgery easier and cheaper than ever before. Right now cranioplasty implants, which are used to treat head deformities and serious damage to skulls, take weeks to make out of titanium and quickly cost thousands of dollars. But dr. Philip Boughton, a biomedical engineer at the University of Sydney, has developed a process of 3D printing a type of ‘bone cement’ in just a few days, for as little as $300. Not only is it highly accurate and far cheaper, it could also prove to be life-saving in very serious cases.
As dr. Boughton explained in an interview, his new application revolves around a cement-like material that is mixed with an antibiotic to ensure that the result will be completely sterile and ready to be implanted.
Perhaps most remarkable, is that the technique can even be used in particularly severe cases, where very little bone can be salvaged. To ensure a perfect fit, Boughton and his team rely on a patient’s (previous) CT scans, the data of which can be transformed into 3D printable files much like we send an STL file to our desktop printers. As one of Boughton’s PhD students, Jeremy Kwarcinski, explained: "we used this 3D image to determine exactly the shape and size of the missing segment of bone and so we've treated patients with injuries from sizes of about a twenty cent piece to missing about 40 per cent of the skull."
While many hospitals now have a number of hand-crafted implants in supply, that need to be modified or fitted in a trial and error procedure, this approach will ensure that implants are always going to fit. As Boughton explained, "We're helping to address what can often be an emergency situation as close to the day when the patient comes in as possible. Implants are going to be, starting to be patient specific. Rather than fitting the patients to the implant, we're basically taking the patient's scans and customizing the implant able to the patient."
The technique is currently being trialed on actual patients, and has so far proven to be a very excellent option for surgeons in Sydney. While we don’t know when this innovation can be fully incorporated into medical practice, things are looking promising. And while initially revolving around a cement-like ‘filament’, Boughton and his team are already looking into bio-printable alternatives that can regenerate bone along 3D printed templates. The future of 3D printing in the medical world thus looks bright; as Kwarcinski said, "as far regenerative medicine goes, I think it's definitely a pathway to a new form of treatment."
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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What exactly is Katy Perry, Inc. (KPI) claiming as the unique design IP for this shark? The letter needs to spell out what the infringement is exactly. Please web search images of Blue Shark sleeping bag. You will find a variety of shark sleeping bags, and a few blue shark customs. Will KPI demand that the parent of the baby in a shark custom remove their picture. Clearly this costume shop should demand royalties from KPI as KPI clearly took their IP. http://www.costume-shop.com/fish-costumes/ocean-sharks-dolphins-whales/pelican-costume Folks let's get serious.
ganter / open3dp wrote at 2/8/2015 12:50:48 AM:
What exactly is Katy Perry, Inc. (KPI) claiming as the unique design IP for this shark? The letter needs to spell out what the infringement is exactly. Please web search images of Blue Shark sleeping bag. You will find a variety of shark sleeping bags, and a few blue shark customs. Will KPI demand that the parent of the baby in a shark custom remove their picture. Clearly this costume shop should demand royalties from KPI as KPI clearly took their IP. http://www.costume-shop.com/fish-costumes/ocean-sharks-dolphins-whales/pelican-costume Folks let's get serious.
Corey Warren wrote at 2/7/2015 1:29:28 AM:
I'm not sure that Katy Perry even has a claim here. Doesn't the NFL own the halftime show?
Russ wrote at 2/6/2015 10:43:34 PM:
Shapeways, fire up your computer, Google, CARTOON SHARKS, click on IMAGES, I think you are not alone as the IP in question has been use LONG before any SUPER BOWL!
Guest of sculpter wrote at 2/6/2015 6:12:54 PM:
The person who created this item also has many other items. While I respect his creativity it seems he needs to do more research before blasting out his personal thoughts based on misinformation. But hey, ya gotta love capitalism right?
Winup wrote at 2/6/2015 6:01:43 PM:
Costumes or fashion (e.g., anything that one wears) CANNOT be protected with copyright because of its utility. Unless the shark outfit has been granted a design patent and the lawyers representing Katy Perry has shown the granted design patent, there is no "IP" to speak of. Their act was just to scare those less informed. Just because an entertainer uses some props in a show, it does NOT mean that the entertainer owns any exclusive rights in the props. The lawyers drafting that letter need to do some homework about basic copyright law.
Guest of sculpter wrote at 2/6/2015 4:04:55 PM:
The person who created this item also has many other items. While I respect his creativity it seems he needs to do more research before blasting out his personal thoughts based on misinformation. But hey, ya gotta love capitalism right?
Darevsek wrote at 2/6/2015 3:48:33 PM:
AND they wonder why the younger generation is bucking the Hollywood/copyright system majorly. Sillyness like this. Really... IP... Show me the papers or start walking... Everything you use as a "prop" is not automatically "yours" you silly girl/and her lawyers. If that was the case Madonna would be going after EVERY cone shaped item int he world. If I see a "beach ball" or Felt (cause that is what the shark costume is made out of) letter... Bang Zoom, Right to the Moon...
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