According to the BBC, the 83-year-old patient had long suffered from a badly infected lower jaw that was considered too risky to operate on by way of traditional methods. Due to the associated risks, doctors turned to 3D-printing as a viable alternative.
These academics took their research to Netherlands-based Xilloc Medical, which created the design for the required lower jaw. With a design complete, it was over to Belgian-firm LayerWise to print it.
LayerWise built the jaw implant from titanium powder and a special artificial bone plasma coating, and it took only a few hours to print. LayerWise’s printer makes use of a laser beam to melt the layers of titanium together to ensure a solid end resuit.
The completed lower jaw implant weighs in at 107 grams, which is said to be slightly heavier than a natural jaw, but not so much so that it’s uncomfortable for the patient.
The whole thing is rather impressive, if a little disconcerting. The team behind this world first say that this operation opens the way for more 3D-printed patient-required body parts.
[LayerWise via BBC | Images: University of Hasselt]
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