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Print Yourself a Femur

Posted by michael on from the six-fingers dept.

Scrooge919 writes "Newscientist is running an article about a new 'bone printer' that can be used to replace segments of broken bones. A large segment could be fabricated in about an hour and would be able to support the person's weight. Over the course of about 18 months, the section is absorbed by the body and replaced with real bone."

3 of 54 comments (clear)

  1. Oh Oh... by jo42 · · Score: 5, Funny
    I can see it now:

    Subject: [ADV] Print yourself a bigger Penis!!!!

    1. Re:Oh Oh... by m_chan · · Score: 5, Funny

      Or worse, your inbox will be flooded with ads for cheap boner cartridges.

  2. FDA approval, and current needs by menscher · · Score: 5, Informative
    Here is an example use of this technology. The piece needed was to strengthen the jawbone of an elderly lady. We actually printed it out (plastic, not bone, but you get the idea), and it was shown to fit quite nicely during an operation.

    The problem? FDA won't let the doctors leave it in there. They just got to put it in place and take a few pics before removing it again. So the woman still has a weakened jawbone, despite the fact that the technology exists to help her.