5. Patient-specific products achieved with 3D printing
3D printing technology is making its way into the industry. The Cleveland Clinic predicts it to be a top innovation of the next year.
Mis-sized implants can be costly, according to Dr. Tom Gildea, a doctor at the Respiratory Institute at the Cleveland Clinic.
Patients are unique, so using 3D printing helps customize implants. The technique also allows doctors to print models of different anatomies to help train and visualize a procedure without having to open up the patient.
3D-printing can also customize medical devices for each patient, Gildea said.
“3D-printing as a tools is a remarkable tool,” he said.
Read about some of the latest innovations in 3D-printing.