Using CT and MRI images of his patients’ organs, Sugimoto generates life-size models of kidneys, livers and other organ that are medically accurate. When printing on machines that can handle multiple materials, the outer structure of Dr. Sugimoto’s models can be rendered transparent, helping him see deep into an organ’s tissue where he can diagnose cancers, find scar tissues and build a plan for surgical operations.
Even though more surgeons and doctors are becoming interested in integrating 3D printing technology into their practices, the cost of printers is still hindering their adoption. In Dr. Sugimoto’s case, the Objet Connex printer he uses costs somewhere between $250,000 and $500,000, depending on the model. However, Dr. Sugimoto believes that 3D printing technology has the opportunity to change the way surgeon learn and practice their profession, and he likens the technology’s transformative potential to an earlier disruptive invention, the cellphone. “The potential impact [of 3D printing] is no smaller than the shift from fixed-line phones to mobile phones.”
Source: WSJ
Images Courtesy of WSJ