3D Printing the Bones of a Human Body

Okay, so 3D printing is not brand new, but some aspects of it are making news. For instance, a company called Oxford Performance Materials just got FDA approval to 3D print a human skull for use in case of trauma or disease.

But, of course why stop there? The future implications for printing parts of the human body are vast.

According to Tech News Daily, “DeFelice envisions going beyond the OsteoFab™ Patient Specific Cranial Device to make 3D-printed bone replacements for all parts of the human body. His company has already begun preparing to submit other 3D-printed bone parts for FDA approval – a huge market worth as much as $50 million to $100 million for each bone replacement type.”

You know 3D printing could also apply to prosthetics as well. Imagine a few years from now Oscar Pistorius or some other ski leg athlete printing their own artificial limbs at home. Or if you happen to be a veteran and lost your hand in the war and then lost your hand in the washer, you could print up a new one post-haste.

The possibilities are mind-boggling. The first step has been taken with the 3d printed skull. And the company that did this has a leg up on the competition. 🙂

References

http://www.explainingthefuture.com/3dprinting.html

http://www.technewsdaily.com/17191-3d-printed-skull-implant.html