3D Printing And Scanning For Ear Prosthetics

Doctor Uses 3D Scanning & Printing to Create Hyper-Accurate Prosthetic Ears for Kids with Microtia

Alec [www.3ders.org] | August 5, 2016

[...] Microtia, to explain, is an unusual congenital deformity of the ear. Occurring in about one out of every 8,000–10,000 births, it leaves one or both ears completely undeveloped. For some reason it usually affects the right ear, and it occurs in different forms of severity – from unsightly ears to almost completely absent ones.

"Thanks to 3D scanning, the Edinburgh surgeon can now easily 3D print a perfect replica of the patient’s good ear. Once sterilized, these 3D prints are taken into the operating room and act as a perfect model which the surgeon can replicate during the carving process." Source: http://www.3ders.org/articles/20160805-doctor-adopts-3d-scanning-3d-printing-to-create-hyper-accurate-prosthetic-ears-for-kids-with-microtia.html

"It is still not a cheap scanner and the latest version retails for $27,600. But with each MRI scan costing an average of $2,611, this handheld scanner becomes a relative bargain." Source: http://3dprintingindustry.com/news/handheld-scanner-takes-prosthetic-ears-new-level-91334/

<more at http://www.3ders.org/articles/20160805-doctor-adopts-3d-scanning-3d-printing-to-create-hyper-accurate-prosthetic-ears-for-kids-with-microtia.html; related articles and links: http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/3d-scanning-doctor-kids/ (Doctor uses 3D printing to create hyper-accurate ear implants for kids. August 2, 2016) and http://3dprintingindustry.com/news/handheld-scanner-takes-prosthetic-ears-new-level-91334/ (Handheld scanner takes prosthetic ears to a new level. August 4, 2016)>