Re:3D printers can now read CT scans and produce bone models
by leeoniya on Tuesday November 15, 2011 @05:23PM
(#3240601)
honestly, this seems like a no-brainer. i'm not sure what took so long to get this done. both 3d scanners and 3d printers have been around for decades. the fact that it was mere matter of procuring the scanned data in a standard, open-source interoperable format is a big fail.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:3D printers can now read CT scans and produce bone models
by Providentian on Tuesday November 15, 2011 @09:45PM
(#3241487)
It has taken a while for the printers to come down the cost curve, and for materials to come up the quality curve. I was talking to the CEO of Z Corp (a $50M 3D printng company) and he gave a great example of how, for Clark's Shoes, they've been able to go from small scale looks-like prototypes, to full-size prototypes, to functional shoes, over 10 years. Apparently functional prosthetics are next.
Re:3D printers can now read CT scans and produce bone models
by vsviridov on Tuesday November 15, 2011 @07:14PM
(#3241036)
I think it doesn't happen because of the way medical insurance is set up in the States. No doctor has to "vote with their wallet" so to speak.
"Oh, hey, a model bone is going to cost us $1200? Whatever, the insurance company is paying for it". No pressing need to save money and optimize their processes...