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3D Printed Facial Implants to Revolutionize Black Fungus Treatment in India

Around the world, we have already seen the viability of additive manufacturing technologies for the creation of implants. This is especially the case for those living in regions that may be less economically prosperous, with citizens who may have less…

3D printed facial implant for black fungus patient
3Dnatives

Around the world, we have already seen the viability of additive manufacturing technologies for the creation of implants. This is especially the case for those living in regions that may be less economically prosperous, with citizens who may have less access to affordable, advanced healthcare. It is in these areas that 3D printing is putting itself forward as a viable way to creation customizable, low-cost implants that can truly revolutionize healthcare. Most recently, this has been seen in India where researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have partnered with ZorioX Innovation labs, a startup founded by dental surgeons in Chennai, to create 3D printed, metal face implants for patients suffering from black fungus disease in the country.

According to the CDC, black fungus disease, known officially as Mucuormycosis, “is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. These fungi live throughout the environment […] in soil and in decaying organic matter, such as leaves, compost piles, or rotten wood.” The disease can be contracted by coming into contact with the fungal spores in the environment, for example after breathing them in. However, the CDC notes that “These forms of mucormycosis usually occur in people who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness.” For example, the disease can occur in patients with AIDS or uncontrolled diabetes.

The IIT Madras team with their metal 3D printer

Moreover, it has started becoming a serious concern in India post-COVID, with about 60,000 mucormycosis cases already registered, leading to a growing need for face reconstruction in the country. Starting in 2021, medical personnel started seeing a resurgence of mucormycosis, previously considered a relatively rare fungal infection. The cause seems to have been the immune suppression that occurs during a COVID infection. And the symptoms can be devastating.