Here's another application of 3D Printing in Orthopedics: Essentially the hybridization of two technologies: 3D printed "cast" and ultrasound.
A 3D Printed "Cast"
Timeline: 2013. You may have seen this type of potential last year from Jake Evill and his Cortex Cast system. Instead of the odorous and itchy plaster or nylon-type wrapped "cast", a rigidly structured cast is custom printed to fit the fractured limb. It's lattice structure is inspired by bone and allows the skin to be exposed to air which greatly reduces odor issues and the all-too-familiar maddening itch. He has a wonderful infographic that shows some nice comparisons:
Forward to 2011. Glasgow orthopedic surgeon, Angus McLean, makes headlines with the application of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation (a.k.a. LIPUS) to accelerate the healing of bone fractures.
What's not possible. As fast as this world is moving, who knows how quickly we'll see similar devices as everyday solutions at OrthoNow.
Congratulations Deniz Karasahin! May your works be fruitful and inspire even more greatness.
The information and links presented herein are merely observations and not endorsements by Dr. Bret Sokoloff nor OrthoNow. All trademarks, trade names, registered or otherwise are the property of their respective owners.
Preface: Please note that this post is intended to be an information source for non-medical persons seeking non-technical information about 3D printing in orthopedics. While there are many 3D printing projects underway that develop other anatomical structures such as ear lobes, skin, valves, etc... this post focuses on the (potential) use in orthopedics.
Bret Sokoloff
Since the age of two when pretending to be like my physician Dad, and then later when earning the title, Dr. Bret Sokoloff, the progress of medicine has never ceased to amaze me. It's been about 18 years now as MD, and there's a definite acceleration afoot not only in orthopedics, but in medicine in general.
Some 3D Printing Fundamentals
Surprisingly, 3D printing is about 30 years old. It traditionally refers to an “additive process” wherein an item is made through the iterative addition of layers to create something as defined in an electronic file. This is as opposed to a subtractive process where there might be a block of plastic and material is carved or machined away from the block.
(More on 3D Printing in Wikipedia)
A Quick Note on Orthopedics
When many people think of orthopedic devices, they think of the actual implant itself. While the implant is definitely the focus, equally significant are the tools used during joint replacement and the method or technique used.
A Few Potential Benefits of 3D Printing in Orthopedics
Rapid Prototyping: Because the cost and speed of 3D printing a few items is considerably less than traditional production, prototyping enables more discovery through visualization. Prototypes are also fantastic for communications not only in engineering situations with physicians, but also in communicating with patients and their families.
Being able to create more sizes. Differences in anatomy preclude a one-size-fits-all approach.
Creating instruments that have been impossible with classic production. Engineers' designs are less constricted by manufacturing limitations with the ability to "print" the impossible.
Printing surfaces that better adhere with bone. (see below on osteointegration)
Not Just Plastics
If you’ve seen 3D printers, you may be thinking about molten plastic supplied by filament that resembles a garden tool’s spool of colored ABS plastic. What’s not very apparent from these common 3D printers is that metals can also be produced from a 3D process. The process is different than molten plastics, but it’s nonetheless 3D printing.
Here’s a video that describes one process of 3D printing a metal:
Here's a different video that shows some finished acetabular hip components:
Here are a couple of interesting articles:
A UK Surgeon Successfully 3D Printed and Implanted A Pelvis
Three years ago. Rare bone cancer required the removal of much a man’s pelvis. So much of the pelvis was removed that a traditional hip replacement was not possible. The solution: a 3D printed titanium partial pelvis that replaced the cancerous portion of the pelvis. With the new pelvis, a traditional hip replacement was now possible. The patient, in his sixties, is now able to get around with only the aid of a cane.
Chinese hospital uses 3D printed orthopedic implants Osteointegration. One of the challenges in classic joint replacement can be the long-term securing of an implant and is a function of numerous variables. Multiple methods and designs exist for this purpose. One of the attractive qualities of 3D printed devices is their ability to be porous for bone regrowth within the structure of the (usually titanium) implant. This is called “osteointegration”.
What’s the Answer?
Though it’s still much too early to predict the rollout of 3D Printing in Orthopedics, we can definitely be certain that it will have its place. In fact, a new study released in January 2014 predicts that by the year 2018, 3D printing will be a $4 Billion segment of the healthcare industry. These are very interesting times.
The information and links presented herein are merely observations and not endorsements by Dr. Bret Sokoloff nor OrthoNow. All trademarks, trade names, registered or otherwise are the property of their respective owners.
