Technology Magazine July 2021 | Page 77

NORTHWELL HEALTH
LIFE-CHANGING BENEFITS FROM NORTHWELL ’ S 3D PRINTING
Northwell ' s automated 3D printing laboratory is creating state-of-the-art , personalised treatments which will change the life for their patients . By uniting world class resources in prosthetics , aerospace and 3D printing , Northwell created a first-of-its-kind prosthetic known as the Fin .
The Fin allows an amputee to enter and exit the water without changing prosthetics . It uses state-of-the-art carbon fibre materials and an ergonomic shape to ensure durable and efficient movement .
The Fin is printed using a carbon fibre enhanced nylon to provide strength and flexibility . The result is a durable solution that is highly functional on land and in the water .
3D printing is technology that produces a three-dimensional object from a digital 3D file , such as a computer-aided design ( CAD ) drawing or a CT / MRI scan . This creates a device that is matched to a patient ’ s anatomy and is used in the following :
Anatomical models
Tumor resection models – used to highlight a tumor and surrounding tissue
Orthopedic models – built from bone-like materials used for pre-surgery measuring
Vascular models – These can be printed to identify abnormalities in the organ , tumors , blood flow , sliced chambers , valves , muscle tissue and calcified tissue
Dentistry – digital dentistry in the form of 3D printed dental appliances

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