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Doctors transplant world’s first 3-D printed rib cage

Reconstructive surgery just got an upgrade after a patient who had lost four ribs and part of his sternum had a 3-D printed titanium replica fitted instead. This was the first such procedure. Although the operation was a sound success with the replica matching like a glove, doctors say that this sort of intervention is only for really extreme cases. You can't become Wolverine overnight, not exactly at least.

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
September 15, 2015
in Health, News
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Reconstructive surgery just got an upgrade after a patient who had lost four ribs and part of his sternum had a 3-D printed titanium replica fitted instead. This was the first such procedure. Although the operation was a sound success with the replica matching like a glove, doctors say that this sort of intervention is only for really extreme cases. You can’t become Wolverine overnight, not exactly at least.

titanium ribcage
Image: CSIRO

 

The implant was printed with a special metal printer from an Australian company called Anatomics, while the operation was done by surgeons at the Salamanca University Hospital, Spain. The printer fires an electron beam that melts a titanium powder layer by layer until the desired shape is reached. This you get a 100% custom design prosthesis, with a level of complexity unrivaled by traditional methods. Typically, you’d start with metal plates and bars, gradually twisting and welding until you get something that looks like a rib cage or sternum.

The implant attaches directly to the bone by eight clamps. Image: CSIRO
The implant attaches directly to the bone by eight clamps. Image: CSIRO

 

Despite it’s made from titanium, the implant is comfortable.  The four ribs are thin and flexible, so breathing is easy.

Also read about the first 3-D printed skull implant or the 3-D printed mask for the patient who had lost his face to cancer.

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Tags: 3-d printing3d printing

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Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

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