When you look at 3D printing technology, it seems like it has an application for every facet of life, from the mundane to the extraordinary, and it doesn't get much more extraordinary than functional skull implants.
After getting approval from policy makers U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an American patient had a procedure in which 75 percent of their skull was replaced with durable 3D-printed skull implants. The skull implant was printed layer by layer to nearly the exact dimensions of the patient's existing skull using advanced digital scanning techniques.
The skull implant was produced by Oxford Performance Materials, which is next looking at using 3D printing techniques to reach into other areas of orthopedics. It's estimated that each bone type that Oxford Performance Materials is able to replicate could be worth between $50-$100 million in market value. I think skull implants are a pretty impressive start.
3D-Printed Skull Implants
A Patient Had 75 Percent of Their Skull Replaced in Pioneering Procedure
Trend Themes
1. 3d-printed Bone Replicas - The technology of printing durable 3D replica bones is becoming increasingly sophisticated and is on the track to be used in other complex procedures.
2. Personalized Medical Implants - Advanced digital scanning techniques can be used to create personalized 3D printed medical implants, enabling custom-fit solutions for individuals with unique conditions.
3. Additive Manufacturing in Orthopedics - 3D printing technology is being embraced by orthopedic specialists as a way to address complex bone graft surgeries and enable greater procedural precision.
Industry Implications
1. Medical Devices - The 3D printing of medical implants represents a significant business opportunity in an industry that is worth over $400 billion globally.
2. Orthopedics - Aging populations and an increase in sports-related injuries are driving the growth of the orthopedic market, which will benefit from 3D printing's ability to create custom-fit implants with greater precision.
3. Additive Manufacturing - The growth of 3D printing and additive manufacturing in healthcare represents a significant business opportunity in a market that is set to reach $26 billion by 2024.