Belgian and Dutch scientists have succeeded to an old woman with a lower jaw to be replaced by one with a 3d printer produced model. According to the researchers, it is a world first.
It is the first time that a moving part as the implant is manufactured from a 3d-printer, according to the creators. The development of the mandible was conducted by the University of Hasselt, a few hours needed to get the custom made part to do with a 3d printer. There are normally several days to a custom-made implant to fabricate. After implantation had patients a day are needed to be able to speak. The surgery was last summer already executed, resulting in the artificial jaw in each case, in the short term, none seems to cause problems.
With the 3d printer layers titaniumpoeder to each other. The method used is in accordance with the creators unique: besides the fact that the production time is considerably shorter, it would also manufacture less material costs. It might be a bit heavier than a biological jaw, but here patients would be good to be able to get used to. The university expects that such implants in the future are going to be used.
3d-printers in recent years increasingly used for medical applications. By such a printer a set of instructions to give the complex tissues are made which usually are difficult to imitate. Previously managed scientists already in bones to print, and also blood vessels belong to the possibilities. In addition, 3d printers are becoming more affordable, allowing their use in the future likely will increase, and consumers also have access to the technology.