3D Printed Cast For Broken Bones

Human body is an amazing monument and bones are it's pillars. Therefore, bones need to be maintained for a good life. Bones are a kind of dense connective tissue or skeletal tissue which support and protect various organs of the human body. There are times when bones are injured or fractured and need to be treated. That’s when they are cloaked with heavily sheathed fibreglass or plaster- a days of yore kind of treatment. But isn’t there any better way of dealing with bone injuries? Well, luckily in the 21st century there is.

3D printed casts for broken bones is revolutionizing the way fractures are being treated in the medical world. They are better than the sheaths of fibreglass or plaster because they are light weight, water proof, fully ventilated, hygienic and recyclable. Previously, a messy process now it’s just a simple scan, print and fit process, easy and fast.

3D printing is an advanced technology which develops three dimensional objects from digital design files fed to the 3D printer. This technology is used in developing 3D casts for bones. Sources suggest that it was first invented by a Dutch student named Pieter Smakman, today many start-ups around the world have been working on this new technology. There is MediPrint in Mexico which manufactures these 3D casts called as NovaCast, Xkelet based in Girona, Cortex in New Zealand developed with the combined efforts of the Turkish designer Danish Karasahin(used LIPUS and a portable ultra sound generator cast with advanced

ultrasound technology) and Zake Evil.

The 3D printing technology works with a scanner and a 3D printer. It is relatively straightforward: a scanner gathers the specifications of the patient’s broken limb precisely, and then any design software uses these to design a personalized cast. The cast is printed in two pieces for the upper and lower limb and is secured in place until the limb heals. Printing the cast takes only 30seconds. The system also includes a rehabilitation module that stimulates the muscles below the cast with electric signals, speeding up recovery and preventing muscle atrophy. These casts have many round openings; these allow

the doctor and patient easy access to the injured limb. Carol Lin, an orthopaedic surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, says this is useful for accessing skin health and re-dressing wounds, which may reduce the number of follow-up visits.

The advanced 3D printed cast in real looks stylish and is developed with the use of ultrasound and 3D printing technology for an appropriate form of bone healing. This is actually a combination of the advanced osteoid cast, X-rays and the 3D scanner map which is used on the affected portion of the bones.

Benefits of the 3D printed cast:

They are custom made hence portable.
They are light and look stylish.
They allow proper air ventilation and prevent from any kind of odour.
They are washable and patients can use it while bathing or swimming.
The cost of these 3D printed casts is less as compared to the efforts involved in their development, having an ultimate effect on the process of bone healing.
It is easier to observe the condition of a patient’s skin and doctors can
easily advise any improvisation if required.
Doctors are also able to better immobilize specific areas that would not have been possible with prefabricated casts; helps reduce the need to maintain and store inventory of casts.
These are available in multiple colours.
They are hygienic and temperature resistant.
Quick and painless application and removal.
Reusable and Recyclable.

Fathom, a company in US also prints the cast with messages from the friends and relatives of the patient. Doctors believe that 3D printing is the new revolution in making in the medical community across the globe. Surgeons use 3D printed models of patients’ anatomical features for better surgical planning, and patients are benefitting from custom-printed prostheses, knee replacements, and more.

Some of the common injuries that can be treated with this 3D printed cast include thumb fractured and dislocations, collateral ligament injuries, sprained wrists and carpal tunnel syndrome. It is also to be noted that these casts are not recommended for acute endema. For athelets, it is not intended for injuries that incur high force impact or torque on the device as these are not formally tested for acute injuries, and are only labelled for external use to provide support, stability and immobilization for extremities.

As the price for 3D printing drops, it will open the door for more applications and offer new ways to improve the existing medical products. But this scenario will become a reality when there is demand from society- both patients and doctors, which would compel providers to make 3D casts at affordable prices and for that to happen we need to spread awareness about this awesome technology. Everything that holds a newer discovery has enough reasons for it's acceptance and ignorance.

However, when looked deeply we are sure to find benefits which lead to wide acceptance of the discovery. The latest form of 3D casts made with the combined effects of 3D printing and ultrasound technology with it's indigenious benefits in the process of bone healing is sure to keep a strong hold on its worldwide acceptance. So, Next time you visit a doctor just

think how much easier and cooler it would have been if he were to use a 3D cast rather than a plaster.

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