How 3D-printed bones are changing the medical industry

Recently, bioengineers from Johns Hopkins Medical University School of Medicine, published information regarding a new 3D-printed bone material that can impact the orthopedic landscape. The researchers came up with a bone material that consists of biodegradable plastics and crushed natural bone material. The researchers reported that the new concoction could be used to 3D print bones for replacement surgery, capable of regrowing, while the plastic parts involved would be naturally broken down and then absorbed back into the body.

3D printing advancements like this are popping up all over the place today. In the video below, 3D printer company, Ultimaker, documents the way 3D printers are being incorporated into medicine.

The company’s video follows orthopedic surgeon Boyd Goldie as he uses 3D prints of bone fractures for his surgical planning. By using free open source software he can convert medical MRI and CT scans into 3D-printable STL files and print them on his Ultimaker 3D printer.

According to Goldie, he would normally have to wait weeks to get a 3D printed model from an external supplier, as well as cost a substantial amount of money, but with the help of some free software and an Ultimaker 3D printer,  he can do it himself in just hours.

“A lot of it is to do with me as a surgeon, helping me to plan my operation, plan where I’m going to make my incision and give me a better understanding of what I’m dealing with so I don’t have any surprises when I come to do the operation,” said Goldie.

Ultimaker plans to feature a print-guide displaying how Goldie turns his medical scans into printable objects.