3D printing science

3D printing technology is the current hot words, three-dimensional photographs, toy cars, unmanned aircraft so a machine can print out. Reporters learned yesterday, China's orthopedic surgeons are studying Beiyisanyuan use of 3D printing technology saving lives, there are nearly 40 patients were using 3D printers manufactured titanium bones.

Print a "spine" take a few hours

In Chinese director Liu Zhongjun Beiyisanyuan orthopedic table, arrayed ten pieces titanium texture "cookies", looks gray scarred, covered pores, looks very inconspicuous. But Liu Zhongjun told reporters that this is the 3D printer to print out the human skeleton, they represent orthopedic surgery is about to enter a new era. It is understood that Beiyisanyuan not have a 3D printer device, this machine is currently in a company. "The hospital joint collaborative research with the manufacturers," Liu Zhongjun said, "For example, we put the spine design drawings sent to the factory, you can get a few hours later printing products." According to Liu Zhongjun introduction, bones printing processes include: first graphic design input to the computer inside, and then the metal powder into the machine, high temperature melting, molding, freezing, cooling.

Clinical observations from animal experiments to spend four years

According to Liu Zhongjun introduction, beginning in 2009, has carried Beiyisanyuan orthopedic bone 3D printing technology, animal studies, "Experimental results are very promising, bone ingrowth is very good, in a very short time you can see the bone cells have been grow inside the pores of the bone to print. " Currently, the technology has been through animal experiments, and this year was officially approved to enter clinical observation phase. As of yesterday, nearly 40 patients signed informed consent, implanted 3D printed "reinforced steel frame," and received regular follow-up examinations. Participate in human trials were mainly patients with cervical disease and hip joints, artificial vertebrae in the spinal implant Beiyisanyuan accepted, cervical interbody fusion implants and artificial acetabular implants.

Two advantages are expected to replace traditional techniques

What exactly magical 3D printing technology, so aroused the concern of orthopedic surgeons? In this regard, Liu Zhongjun explanation, because compared to conventional techniques, it has two advantages. One advantage is that whatever you think of the shape of the bones can be. It is understood that the shape of human bones in the cervical spine to the number of the most bizarre I and II, and there is no normal geometry, where the patient if the doctor bone tumor resection, in order to support and fix, he can always use an internal plants to fill. "The traditional approach is that the removal of the bones of the site into a titanium mesh, and other body parts removed from the patient's bone filling into parts, and then the plates and nails fixed, and then let it slowly grow." Through his long-term clinical observations, this padding method is not ideal, and the surrounding bone implant bone fusion time will be very long, but also in the growth process which is prone to metal collapse and other issues. With 3D printing technology, the physician may directly produce the same shape and volume of the implant, filling the defect site inside bottom with screws, it is very strong, and this is impossible in conventional processes.

Print skeletal second advantage is that its surface covered with Aluminium Magnesium Alloy powder, they are like a sponge, you can draw in the surrounding bones, so true to form between the bone and the bone firmly false one, the patient's bone speedy recovery.

Slow processing time

It is understood that, because as a human body, plants, whether domestic or foreign, their requirements are very strict, generally after a lot of examination and approval procedures and doctors a lot of research to find scientific evidence confirms that it is harmless to the human body inside and reliable , and better than existing treatments that can improve efficacy, "only to get the evidence, be possible to enter into clinical observations, clinical observations only confirm our results is the exact original design, are likely to become regular products for patients. "