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HealthTechnology & Science

In 3D: Implants & Phantoms

3D print

Aims

Professor Kawal Rhode and his research team are creating custom implants for patients with 3D printing.

"It's virtually a zero-cost situation because the cost of the printing and making the silicone moulds is exceptionally low at only a few tens of pounds. We focused on building very low-cost technology which is not going to add to the overall cost of the procedure and make it prohibitive to introduce." - Professor Kawal Rhode

Methods

Patients are scanned using CT imaging before they have their surgery for removal of bones affected by cancer. These scans are used to build 3D computer models of the bones that are going to be removed such as a part of a rib, a set of ribs or the sternum.

These models are 3D printed in low-cost plastic. A mould is created using silicone which is then sterilized and sent to the operating theatre during surgery. This mould is subsequently used to create a new rib or a new sternum using bone cement, an approved material which can be implanted.

Media coverage

Featured on BBC Click 10th Feb 2023: 3D-Printed Bones

News

Medical 3D printing restores 100 year old Museum of Life Sciences specimen

Prof Kawal Rhode, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, and Royal Veterinary College Student, Asma Bint-Zubair, have restored a 100 year old...

Asma restoration 2

Researchers successfully 3D print prosthesis for cancer patients

Researchers have successfully used a bespoke software and 3D printing to create a chest wall prosthesis for cancer patients.

3D print

SmartSurgery: 3D printing implants

Professor Kawal Rhode is working on clinical projects at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust which are starting to reshape the future of affordable, directly...

New Scientist Live 2019

Media coverage

Featured on BBC Click 10th Feb 2023: 3D-Printed Bones

News

Medical 3D printing restores 100 year old Museum of Life Sciences specimen

Prof Kawal Rhode, School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, and Royal Veterinary College Student, Asma Bint-Zubair, have restored a 100 year old...

Asma restoration 2

Researchers successfully 3D print prosthesis for cancer patients

Researchers have successfully used a bespoke software and 3D printing to create a chest wall prosthesis for cancer patients.

3D print

SmartSurgery: 3D printing implants

Professor Kawal Rhode is working on clinical projects at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust which are starting to reshape the future of affordable, directly...

New Scientist Live 2019
Project status: Ongoing

Principal Investigator

  • Kawal Rhode

    Kawal Rhode

    Professor in Biomedical Engineering and the Head of Education at the School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences

Investigator

Keywords

3D PRINTINGHEALTHCARE ENGINEERINGMEDTECH