Medicine is improving over the years becoming more and more advanced. Besides the techniques used and various opportunities to gain in-depth knowledge more than ever before, technology also plays a vital role in the advancement of medical treatments.
3D printing is a kind of technology that has been developing over recent years. This technology is very advanced, and it typically involves depositing materials or fusing them in order to create a 3D object. This is a truly miraculous technology that until recently we thought about as science fiction. However, reality simply proves us wrong. It is a technology that provides the precision that was never possible before.
In the health industry, this kind of technology is improving processes in many ways and many patients are already seeing the benefits. Each patient is different which means that unique and a very specific approach is necessary for treating any health problem. Here, we are going to look at some of the ways that 3D printing is used in the healthcare industry. Keep reading to find out more.
Anatomical Models for Surgery
When it comes to surgical procedures on patients, accuracy is extremely vital, and this is why training is so extensive for surgeons. While it is possible to understand a patient’s anatomy from a CT or an MRI scan, this is not always as intrusive as a surgeon would need. With 3D printing, it is possible to recreate a tangible model of the patient’s anatomy. This means that surgeons can be fully trained and can get the job done right. The accuracy of these 3D models really cannot be compared. This gives the surgeons the opportunity to go into the operating room with the confidence that they actually know exactly what they are doing because they have already done it once. This opportunity is priceless and can save a patient’s life.
Bionic Arms
For many people, losing a limb would be one of the worst things to ever happen to them but for many, this is the reality. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and being able to help a patient to overcome difficulties is truly important. One way of making it happen is by using 3D technology for producing functional prosthetics. That used to be outside of the reach of many people because the making process was too long and the cost of making it was too high. However, this technology enables numerous people to get the prosthetic they need in a relatively short period and fully customized, so the patient can have the comfort he needs.
Prosthetic limbs have been around for a long time now but more recently, bionic arms are becoming much more popular and accessible. Companies like Open Bionics with the help of Tej Kohli and Joel Gibbard are now 3D printing bionic arms in order to reduce costs and make these more accessible. This is a massive breakthrough for the health industry and shows what we can expect in the future. Considering what we see now, the future is bright and we like it. We just hope it will be even more accessible in all branches of medicine.
Bioprinting Tissues
Did you know that it is possible to bioprint tissues and organs with this kind of technology? This is not something that many people are aware of, but it is actually very impressive. Many people die from organ or tissue failure due to birth defects, diseases, and accidents and with this technology, this can be prevented. 3D printing technology allows for replacement organs to be built in order to give people what they need to survive. While this is not exactly something that has been rolled out around the world just yet, there is potential for this to really improve the health of many around the world.
Medical tools
Doctors need precise tools that can help them operate as delicately as possible to avoid any damage to the tissue. The more invasive surgery, the harder the recovery. This is why 3D technology can revolutionize healthcare. Instead of waiting for the tools to be made, then tested, only to be returned for further customization, we now have the possibility of getting the model we need in a matter of hours. It is much easier to implement the changes necessary to make it as functional as possible.
When it comes to replacement parts, utilizing new technology is essential. Instead of contacting the manufacturer and waiting for him to deliver it is pretty time consuming while using this technology can reduce it up to a few hours. This is crucial for critical situations when there is very little time and the patient’s life is on the line.
Preview
With the regular way of production, the whole process is pretty costly, and making any new changes just increases the price. However, with 3D printing, the mistake can be noticed immediately. Changes can be applied instantly, so the process is simplified. Everything can be monitored, so the preview is available. Every detail can be easily seen making it easier to spot any error. Also, it is important to say that since the process is shorter and simpler, the costs go down and the waste gets reduced as well.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the health industry has massively improved over the years thanks to 3D printing technology and another innovative tech. There are many sectors of the industry that are using 3D printing in order to improve things and this is only set to increase in the future. Dentists have already using it to make models as accurate as possible, but it is present in the entire healthcare in general. If you are interested in new developments in the healthcare industry, then you should make sure to keep an eye on this technology.
We expect 3D printing to become even more advanced and for more people to have bioprinted organs or bionic arms thanks to this.
