3D Printing: Changing The Medical Field Forever

Thanks to recent advancements in 3D printing, it is now possible for you to print everything from a pair of high-heeled shoes to a working firearm right in the comfort of your own home. However, while the day-to-day uses for these printers are nothing short of amazing, the most breathtaking uses for this technology can be found in the medical community. This is because 3D printing companies are not only allowing doctors to change people's lives, they are also allowing them to save people's lives. Below you will learn more about a few of the most impressive ways that 3D printing is changing the medical field forever.

Anatomy Models

For many years, the only way that doctors were able to learn about human anatomy and perfect new surgery techniques was through the use of cadavers. The problem with this was that the supply of donated cadavers was always incredibly limited. Consequently, medical students and researchers would often perform dozens or even hundreds of procedures on a single cadaver before it was retired and put to rest. In many cases, the sheer number of procedures that these cadavers underwent would compromise the integrity of their anatomy, and therefore produce unreliable results.

Thanks to the use of 3D printers, medical professionals now have a better option when it comes to researching human anatomy and surgical procedures. Now, rather than relying on a donated cadaver, medical schools and research facilities have the ability to print anatomically correct models using a 3D printer. Not only are these models incredibly life-like, but they are also unlimited in supply.

Custom Prosthetic

Creating a functioning prosthetic for a patient was always a lengthy and complicated process that was often cost prohibitive for patients with limited financial resources. Unfortunately, since each prosthetic needed to be custom made to fit the patient's body measurements, there simply was not a better or faster way to complete this process. This is no longer the case.

Using 3D printers, doctors are now able to create custom prosthetics for patients in just a matter of hours rather than weeks or months. Furthermore, by removing the factor of human error from the process, the results that a 3D printer is able to provide are far more reliable. For most patients, this will mean fewer, if any, adjustments to their new prosthetic.

The use of 3D printing in the creation of custom prosthetic has also made this process far more affordable. Consequently, more patients than ever are getting the high quality prosthetic they need to reclaim their quality of life.

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