DVD Provides Details on Medical Applications of Rapid Prototyping

A new DVD provides an insiders look to life-enhancing applications of rapid prototyping.

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME; Dearborn, MI, USA) recently announced the release of "Medical Applications of Rapid Prototyping,” its latest DVD that provides viewers with applications of this technology. Part of SME's Manufacturing Insights Video Series, the program takes the viewer inside the medical industry to examine how rapid technologies are being used to reconstruct anatomy, build parts, and rebuild lives.

Rapid technology and three-dimensional (3D) data capture are inspiring a new arena of medical innovations. The DVD takes the viewer inside Biomet (Warsaw, IN, USA) where they demonstrate how computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are converted into rapid prototype models for the purpose of creating customized implants that are specifically matched to a patient's own anatomic data. Direct Dimensions (Baltimore, MD, USA) shows viewers how 3D scanning technology and rapid prototyping are being used to produce aesthetic prosthetics. The video closes with a visit to the Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, USA), where they are using additive fabrication with living cells and advanced biomaterials to produce pioneering innovations in tissue engineering.

"The Rapid Prototyping for Medical Applications video provides the medical community with a mechanism to make medical innovation more viable via partnerships or collaborations with manufacturing companies which could result in more advances in the medical field that might otherwise go undeveloped,” said William Schary, Ph.D., vice president of regulatory at Sunesis Pharmaceuticals (South San Francisco, CA, USA).

The video was authored by noted medical device designer, Ted Kucklick, vice president of R&D and CTO at Cannuflow, Inc. (San Jose, CA, USA), a leading innovator in fluid management for minimally invasive orthopedic surgery.

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is a world-leading professional society supporting manufacturing education. Through its member programs, publications, expositions, and professional development resources, SME promotes an increased awareness of manufacturing engineering and helps keep manufacturing professionals up to date on leading trends and technologies.


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