In a world-first surgery, a Spanish cancer patient has
received a 3D printed titanium sternum and rib implant that was designed and
manufactured in Melbourne.
(September 11, 2015) Suffering
from a chest wall sarcoma (a type of tumour that grows in and around the rib
cage), the 54-year-old man needed his sternum and a portion of his rib cage
replaced.
This part of the chest is notoriously tricky to recreate
with prosthetics, due to the complex geometry and intricate structures involved.
So the patient’s surgical team from Salamanca University Hospital determined
that a fully customisable 3D printed sternum and rib cage was the best option.
That’s when they turned to Melbourne-based medical device
company Anatomics, who designed and manufactured the implant utilising CSIRO’s
3D printing facility, Lab 22.
Once the prosthesis was complete it was couriered to Spain
and implanted into the patient. Twelve days after the surgery the patient was
discharged and has recovered well.
Read the full media release from the Minister for Industry
and Science Ian Macfarlane: Cancer patient receives 3D printed ribs in world firstsurgery >>