Slashdot Mirror
Man Has 75% of Skull Replaced By 3D-Printed Materials
redletterdave writes "An un-named male patient in the U.S. has had 75 percent of his skull replaced with 3D printed materials. The undisclosed patient had his head imaged by a 3D scanner before South Windsor, Conn.-based Oxford Performance Materials (OPM) gained approval from US regulators to print the bone replacement. OPM's final skull replacement was built within two weeks, and inserted in the patient's skull in an operation performed earlier this week; this cutting-edge procedure was only just revealed on Friday. OPM's 3D-printed process was granted approval by the FDA back on Feb. 18, which means the company can now provide 3D printed replacements for bones damaged by trauma or even disease. The company says this technique could benefit more than 500 U.S. citizens each month, from injured factory or construction workers to wounded soldiers."
Trauma injury that caused 75% of the skull to be destroyed surely must have a huge impact on the brain. Hopefully the patient isn't in a vegetative state...
pics or it didnt happen
You asked for it.
http://www.technewsdaily.com/images/i/000/011/153/original/osteofab-cranial-device.jpg?1362591104
TFA says they use some sort of plastic called polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) so I'm guessing structual strength won't be a major selling feature.