3D printing a jawbone
A 3D printer-created lower jaw has been fitted to the face of an 83 year old woman in what doctors say is the first operation of its kind.
The transplant was carried out in June last year in the Netherlands, but is only being publicised now.
The implant was made out of titanium powder which was heated by a laser, one layer at a time, to create the part.
Technicians say the ability to create customised patient-specific parts is set to be applied on a wider scale.
Footage courtesy of LayerWise
06 Feb 2012
- From the section Technology