The teenage boy suffered from neurofibromatosis, which caused his spine to become unstable and collapse. The 3D implant was used to prevent complete paralysis.
A team of surgeons, scientists and engineers constructed the 3D printed titanium implant.
“What we came up with was a 3D printed titanium spine support which was tested extensively,” said Koen Willemsen, MD, PhD, a 3D print expert at UMCU. “We now have a blueprint for other hospitals who want to offer the treatment.”
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