3D scanners now make artificial bones!

On 03/14/2013 at 07:37 AM by smartcelt

I'm not going to get like Bill Nye with this blog. Just going to show you a few images and talk about this new technology and the possibilities for it's use. It is a very interesting topic for me because I do X-Ray. Specifically in nursing homes with a mobile unit and digital scanner. As you can imagine,I've seen countless broken bones. I've seen many lives change due to those fractures. A person goes from getting around fairly well to being in a wheelchair all day. So when I saw this news story it fascinated me. Got me to thinking about how revolutionary 3D scanners really are.

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One of the best things about it is the fact cells adhere to the material,something called peck,and the body is less likely to reject the fake bone. And it's cheaper and incredibly strong. If a person had bad osteoporosis they could map out the bone most likely to fracture. Then make a copy with a 3D scanner. It could then replace the bone if it gets broken in the future. Kinda odd to think about it that way. Like having a parts store for human skeletons!

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I think we all know someone who could have benefitted from this. Someone who now has to live with chunks of metal and screws in their body. The first person I thought of was a guy I X-Rayed nearly 17 years ago. I was still a student,working a rotation in the ER. A big biker dude came in with a shattered leg. He was pulling out of his drive and a drunk came flying down his street. Crushed his leg against his bike. It broke his tibia in 7 places. Broke his patella and also his femur[in 3 places!]. He was one of the toughest men I've ever met. Most people would have been screaming their lungs out. I know I would have,and I have a high pain tolerance. But he got through the exam without hollering a bit. Just winced and teared up at times. The thought that crossed my mind as I left the room was "He's gonna lose his lower leg". Probably had to live with one of those artificial kind you strap onto a stub. Just think if he'd had this technology available to him. He might have been able to have a new tibia implanted and been just as he was before.

Seems like whenever new technology comes along mankind always does the same thing. First thing they do is think of ways to apply it to warfare and weaponry. Example would be the fact 3D scanners are being used to make gun parts. Nothing wrong with that if you are a sane,responsible individual. But if you are a deranged criminal,it's another story. I'm just glad that someone is finding ways to use 3D scanners for good. In ways that help people and transform lives. Keep folks from living with constant pain as well. It's a new world we are entering. Sometimes scary,but always amazing.

Ranger1

03/14/2013 at 08:04 AM

Medical technology is doing great things these days. My first step-mother could have used those artificial bones - she had rheumatoid artritis so badly that she didn't have a single original joint left in her body and when she passed away, she was pretty much confined to a wheelchair.

A friend who had vocal cord cancer has been part of the clinical trials for a biogel that will fill the area and essentially give him his voice back. Another friend is waiting for the FDA approval to come through so he can have the procedure done.

smartcelt

03/14/2013 at 10:47 AM

It is truly remarkable how fast things are moving. I hope that if the time comes that I might need it,this tech will be commonly in use. For young people it could mean the most. A life of difficulty or one that does not change after a terrible accident.

Aboboisdaman

03/14/2013 at 08:09 AM

That's really cool! Also quite amazing about that biker dude. I've never broken a bone before, but I imagine it's super intense pain. My cousin is a rad tech too. I was going to go to school for that, but it didn't work out.

03/14/2013 at 10:49 AM

It's a good field to get into these days. Job opportunities are getting better all the time. If you decide to enter the medical field I hope you find the right fit for your life.

Homelessrook

03/14/2013 at 08:32 AM

Reminds me of the Star Trek Replicators in medical. This is really cool thanks for posting it.

03/14/2013 at 10:51 AM

Good comparison! It's much like them in a way. Any object you can get dimensions for can be duplicated. It's a boon for engineers. They can bring their vision to life very quickly now.

leeradical42

03/14/2013 at 10:18 AM

Well cinsidering at one point I will have to have a hip replacement this is good news I have been putting it off cause first off I have never broken a bone or had surgerey in my lfe and the fact that I will be out for like a month and after hearing about all the recalls on hip replacements its not sounding very good to me at all.but this Technology is badd as.

03/14/2013 at 10:52 AM

Hope it goes well if you end up doing that. All depends on a skilled medical team with the right doctor. Can go either way from what I've seen.

Super Step Contributing Writer

03/14/2013 at 05:43 PM

Is there anything we can do Star Trek DIDN'T think of first? I'm not even the biggest fan of that first series, but it comes up every time a new piece of tech crops up it seems... or maybe I've just heard about it being an inspiration for cell phones so often, my confirmation bias just makes me think that. lol

This is awesome tech; glad to see technology adding more good to the world.

03/14/2013 at 06:21 PM

Now if they could just invent a holodeck. That would become the ultimate game room! You would live out the game instead of just playing it. Only problem is,most people would use it for gettin' their freak on!

PixlBit