No middle steps, the X-Rays are converted instantly

Sep 23, 2014 09:58 GMT  ·  By

We've seen a great many advancements in the field of medicine and surgery, all thanks to 3D printing technology. The latest is a really big leap in this field, bigger than you'd probably be tempted to think.

It should come as no surprise that the name of Materialise is once again gracing our ears. Not after stuff like Multi-Color, Glossed Sandstone 3D Prints and the promise of 3D Printed Knee Implants by 2030.

In fact, it is the latter that concerns us in particular, as knee replacement surgery is precisely what the company's latest achievement has to do with.

Materialise hasn't actually come up with fully 3D printed replacement knees and procedures yet, but it has accomplished something that will greatly assist with the next best thing.

Turning X-Rays into replacement knee surgery guides

As amazing as it may be that it's even possible to replace damaged knees, the process isn't exactly expedient. First you need to take x-rays, then plan for the intervention, hope the replacement knee is sculpted properly, etc.

Even then, the surgery doesn't restore the full range of motion, at least not without some pains or other issues. Still, it beats being confined to crutches.

Now, though, Materialise says it can not only improve the effectiveness of knee replacement surgeries, but expedite them.

How? Because of its newly accomplished ability to turn X-rays directly into 3D printed surgery guides, which teams of doctors may use to plan an intervention and even do a practice run.

Dr. Roger Jaeken, an Orthopedic Surgeon in Belgium and working at the AZ Heilige Familie (Holy Family General Hospital) has already used the Materialise X-ray knee guide solution to pre-plan and then successfully carry out such an operation.

Other applications and benefits

In theory, X-rays of other body parts should be possible to turn into planners for a host of other surgeries, and we can definitely envision Materialise dedicate a whole division just to that.

Moreover, a big advantage of the new method of medical operations is that patients don't have to be subjected to CT or MRI scans, shaving a lot of time off the waiting time. This, in turn, lets surgeons go through the patient waiting list faster, which is always a plus for the people in need of help.

Now we just need to see those fabled 3D printed knee replacements being churned out at a similar rate and we're all set for the future.