An unnamed man from the USA is the first person in the world to have 75 percent of his skull replaced with a 3D printed replica.
Oxford Performance Materials is the company behind the 3D printed cranial implant that fits into a human head—the ‘OsteoFab Patient Specific Cranial Device’ (OPSCD) is FDA-approved and made from PEKK, a high performance polymer used in biomedical implants and other demanding applications.
The man first had his skull scanned to create a digital replica, before the replacement plate was printed out. The replacement plate has specially designed textures and holes in the polyetherketoneketone structure to encourage the growth of cells and bone, and the technique could prove invaluable in the replacement of other bone-damaged body parts.
With the advent of 3D printing, it is believed that many sectors of the orthopedic industry will be substantially impacted, with improved outcomes and lower costs that will benefit consumers tremendously.
[via Gizmodo]