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3D printing (3DP) is a kind of rapid prototyping technology. It is a technique for constructing objects by layer-by-layer printing based on digital model files and using adhesive materials such as powder metal or plastic. 3D printing technology is widely used in the medical field. Next we will introduce the application of 3D printing in the medical field.
On August 28th, 2014, the 46-year-old peasantry Hu fell from a three-story building to a pile of wood when he built his house, and the left brain cover was broken. After the operation in the local hospital, Hu’s life is lossless, but the left brain cover is hollow, and he became a "half-headed person" in the eyes of others.
In addition to the face difference from ordinary people, the accident also hurt Hu's vision and language function. In order to help restore Hu’s appearance, the doctor used 3D printing technology to assist in designing the shape of the missing skull. The titanium mesh was designed to reconstruct the missing skull, and the left "brain cover" was finally made. The doctor said that the operation takes about 5 to 10 hours. In addition to supporting the left brain cover with a titanium mesh, it is necessary to take muscle from the leg to fill it. After the operation, Hu’s appearance will be restored, but whether the language function can be restored after surgery still need to be observed.
In August 2014, Peking University research team successfully implanted a 3D printing vertebra for a 12-year-old boy, it is the first case in the world. There is a malignant tumor growing in the boy’s vertebra after a football injury, and the doctor had to choose to remove the vertebra where the tumor was located. However, the special surgery is that the doctor did not use traditional spinal implant surgery, but tried advanced 3D printing technology.
Researchers say the implants can be combined very well with existing bones and can also reduce patient recovery time. Since the implanted 3D spine fits well with the surrounding bones, it does not require much "anchor". In addition, the researchers have set up micropores on it, which can help bones grow between alloys. In other words, the implanted 3D printing spine will grow firmly with the original spine, which means that it won't be loose in the future.
On August 5, 2015, the first SPRITAM (levetiracetam) fast-dissolving tablet prepared by Aprecia Pharmaceuticals using 3D printing technology was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and allowed to be sold in 2016. This means that 3D printing technology will further move into the pharmaceutical field after printing human organs, which is of great significance for the realization of precision pharmaceuticals and targeted pharmaceuticals in the future. The approved "Lesilacetam Instant Tablet" is based on Aprecia's proprietary ZipDose3D printing technology.
The tablets produced by 3D printing pharmaceuticals have abundant pores inside and have a very high internal surface area, so they can be quickly melted by a small amount of water in a short time. Such characteristics have brought good news to some patients with swallowing disorders.
This idea is mainly aimed at the patient's demand for the quantity of medicines, which can effectively reduce the problems of a series of medicines caused by drug inventory and deterioration. In fact, the most important breakthrough in 3D printing is that it can further realize the dream of tailoring drugs for patients.
In October 2015, China's 863 Plan 3D printing vascular project made a major breakthrough. The world's first 3D biovascular printer was successfully developed by Sichuan Blu-ray Inno Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
This vascular printer has advanced performance, and it can print 10 cm long blood vessels in just 2 minutes. Different from the existing 3D bio-printers on the market, 3D bio-vascular printers can print out unique hollow structures of blood vessels and multiple layers of different types of cells, which is the world's first case.
