Applications
3D Printing Is Revolutionizing Surgical Planning, and It’s Only the Beginning
Imagine what it was like when X-Rays were first introduced. Or CT scans, and MRIs. Think about how transformative that technology was, giving physicians the ability to see inside a patient’s body without opening them up. A whole new world,…
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Imagine what it was like when X-Rays were first introduced. Or CT scans, and MRIs. Think about how transformative that technology was, giving physicians the ability to see inside a patient’s body without opening them up. A whole new world, right?
The same transformation happened with the advent of 3D printing for surgery. Instead of being limited to images on a screen, doctors and patients alike were allowed to use physical, 3D tools to comprehend information. Today, several hospitals regularly use the technology to visualize complex or rare cases, and the results are remarkable: operating times can be reduced by hours, surgical outcomes can be improved and patients can go into an operation with a better understanding of the situation.
Image Credit: Stratasys
And it is only the beginning—the number of hospitals in the United States with point-of-care 3D printing went from three in 2010 to over 100 today. There are so many 3D printing applications for surgery, from creating surgical guides to customized implants, and with growing interest in the field, new applications will surely develop. In this article, we are putting tools for surgical planning in the spotlight to explore how these devices are making an impact.
More from the desk
Six other notes from the rest of the bench.
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