three-dimensional printed throat implants recently recorded three newborn boys in the United States-Kaiba, Garrett and Ian-nearly certain death, according to a new report today in science Translational Medicine . All suffered from tracheobronchial bronchomalacia, causing the trachea in infants collapse periodically and prevents normal breathing. The condition usually leads to devastating side effects, including an inability to absorb food, respiratory failure and even cardiac arrest. Researchers conducted CT scans on each boy to determine the size and the precise shape of their trachea. The images are integrated into a computer model to design hollow, tube-shaped plastic splints (top). These were then manufactured by 3D printing technique called laser sintering wherein a laser melts the plastic particles powder and layer by layer to build a 3D structure from the bottom upwards. The splints were designed not only to be flexible, to allow the air to move, but also to stretch slowly over time to match the growth of the trachea of each boy. They were made from polycaprolactone, a polymer which degrades naturally over 3 to 4 years when exposed to fluids in the body. For each child, surgeons splints wrapped around the damaged trachea and sewed in place to keep the airway open. Splints worked so that each boy was able to come off a mechanical ventilator , leave the ICU, and even return home. The boys are now between 17 months and 3 years. Once their splints tracheal dissolve completely, tracheas boys should be developed enough that they should continue to grow and work normally.
Three dimensional printed throat implants save three children
Three dimensional printed throat implants save three children -
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