3D printing technology is the hot word of the moment, stereo photos, toy cars, unmanned aircraft, etc. can be printed out with one machine. It is understood that the orthopedic surgeons of the Third Hospital of Beijing Medical University are studying the use of 3D printing technology to cure diseases. At present, nearly 40 patients have used titanium alloy bones made by 3D printers.

Printing a section of the "spine" takes a few hours

On the table of Liu Zhongjun, director of the Department of Orthopaedics of the Third Hospital of Beijing Medical University, there are more than a dozen "cookies" of titanium alloy texture. The appearance is gray and full of pores, which looks very inconspicuous. But Liu Zhongjun said that this is the human bones printed by 3D printers, which represent the beginning of a new era of orthopedic surgery. It is understood that the North Hospital Third Hospital does not own a 3D printer, which is currently in a company. “The hospital and the manufacturers have joined hands to carry out collaborative research,” Liu Zhongjun said. “For example, we can send the spine design to the manufacturer, and we can get the printed product in a few hours.” According to Liu Zhongjun, the bone printing process mainly includes: first design graphic Input into the computer, then inject metal powder into the machine, melt at high temperature, shape, solidify, and cool.

Four years from animal experiment to clinical observation

According to Liu Zhongjun, since 2009, the Department of Orthopaedics of the Third Hospital of Beijing Medical University has carried out animal experiments on 3D printed bone technology. "The results of the experiment are very optimistic. The bone growth is very good. The bone cells can be seen in a short time. Grow into the pores of the printed bones." Currently, the technology has passed animal experiments and was officially approved for clinical observation this year. As of yesterday, nearly 40 patients have implanted 3D printed "reinforced steel bones" after signing informed consent, and received regular follow-up inspections. The subjects who participated in the human test were mainly cervical spondylosis patients and hip joint patients. They were treated with spinal artificial vertebral body implantation, cervical interbody fusion cage implantation and artificial acetabular implant surgery in the Third Hospital of Beijing Medical University.

Two advantages are expected to replace traditional technology

What is the magic of 3D printing technology, which has caused the attention of orthopedic surgeons? In this regard, Liu Zhongjun explained that it has two advantages compared with traditional technology. One advantage is that you can do whatever shape you want. It is understood that the most weird shape in the human skeleton is the first and second sections of the cervical vertebrae. There is no normal geometric shape at all. If the doctor removes the bone tumor from the patient here, he always uses one inside for support and fixation. Plants to fill. “Traditional treatment is to place a titanium mesh in the area where the bone is removed, then remove some bone from other parts of the patient's body, fill it with steel plates and steel nails, and let it grow slowly.” He passed the long term. Clinical observations have found that this method of filling is not ideal. The implantation of bones and surrounding bones will take a long time, and metal collapse is likely to occur during the growth process. With 3D printing technology, doctors can directly produce inner plants of the same shape and volume, fill them into the defect parts, and fix them with screws up and down, which is very strong, which is impossible in the past.

The second advantage of printing bones is that the surface is covered with pores. They are like sponges that can attract the surrounding bones, forming a solid body between the real bone and the fake bone, and the patient's bones can recover as soon as possible.

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