Aug 14, 2015 | By Simon
When it comes to applications for 3D printing in the medical industry, Chinese doctors have been among the most prominent supporters of the technology as of late and have used it for a myriad of medical-related purposes.
Within the past few months alone, Chinese doctors have used 3D printing to aide in a highly-complex hip-replacement surgical procedure for a 42-year-old woman, remove a tumor from a 60-year-old woman’s kidney and to help repair a 28-year-old woman’s atlantoaxial dislocation condition.
Thanks to the continued success of using 3D printing to aid in surgical procedures, the country - along with 3D printing giant Materialise - proudly unveiled their first pediatric-specific 3D digital medical research facility in Shanghai at the Shanghai Children’s Medical Center on Thursday, August 13th.
Among other projects, the new Pediatric 3D Printing Unit at the hospital will focus on pediatric medical imaging, digital modelling, 3D fabrication, and the researching new ways of using 3D printing in a number of clinical applications.
According to Kim Francois, a spokeswoman from Materialise, the company will contribute with training for digital modeling and 3D printing procedures, clinical software development and technology support.
While 3D printing has proven to be effective in surgical procedures for patients of all ages, it has been especially effective in cases for young children - especially newborns - whose internal organs are both smaller and more sensitive than adult organs. By creating a 3D printed organ replica in advance of a potentially life-threatening surgery, doctors can both practice their procedure with the replica as well as use it as a reference during the actual surgery.
“For example, when we are working out treatment for a child with congenital heart disease we can create a 3D dissection model of the patient which provides a clear view of the situation and promotes further analysis,” said the research center director Liu Jinfen.
According to experts from Materialise, a majority of the 3D printing applications for the pediatric unit will focus on complex diseases including congenital heart disease, premature skull formations and congenital bronchial softening.
In addition to helping support the doctors in advance of a surgery, the models can also be recycled and used as reference in medical classes, too.
Assuming that the new Pediatric 3D Printing Unit is a success, it will likely only be a matter of time before other hospitals around the world open up their own 3D printing labs, too.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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The chineses are at the top in this revolutionary field and always surprising us. An example that must be followed.
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