A Spanish man recently received the world's first 3D-printed rib cage made from lightweight titanium. Although titanium implants are nothing new, the material has never been used to replace large section of the rib cage before. This revolutionary chest prosthetic represents a major breakthrough in medical technology.
The chest prosthetic was designed by surgeons at Salamanca University Hospital. The medical team decided that lightweight titanium would be ideal for replicating portions of the patient's chest that has been lost to cancer. To make the prosthetic, the team relied on high-resolution scans of the patient's chest. These scans were then input into a 3D printer in order to produce replacements for the patient's sternum and rib cage
The chest prosthetic is the first of its kind and could pave the way for future 3D-printed implants.
3D-Printed Chest Prosthetics
This Artificial Rib Cage is Made from Lightweight Titanium
Trend Themes
1. 3d-printed Medical Implants - Advancements in 3D printing technology allow medical teams to create one-of-a-kind, personalized implants.
2. Lightweight Titanium for Medical Use - Development of lightweight titanium for use in medical prosthetics has opened up new possibilities for safe and effective medical implants.
3. High-resolution Medical Scanning - The use of high-resolution medical scanning is allowing for more accurate and precise medical implants to be developed.
Industry Implications
1. Medical Devices - The medical device industry can harness 3D printing technology to create customized, lightweight, and safe implants for patients.
2. Material Science - Further development of lightweight materials like titanium can lead to innovative and disruptive products and solutions in the medical field and beyond.
3. Biotechnology - Biotech companies can leverage high-resolution scanning technology to create advanced medical products and solutions, including innovative prosthetics.