Beijing Hospital Replaces Boy’s Cancerous Neck Vertebra With a 3D Printed Version

Doctors at the No. 3 Hospital, Peking University in Beijing, China replaced the second vertebra of a 12-year-old boy’s neck with a 3D printed version after discovering a malignant tumor following a sports injury. The new procedure has the potential to last far longer than existing methods.

Using existing technology, the patient’s head needs to be framed with pins after surgery. The patient’s head cannot touch the bed when he is resting. This lasts for at least three months. But with 3D printing technology, we can simulate the shape of the vertebra, which is much stronger and more convenient than traditional methods.

images via China Central TV

via China Central TV, CBS