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Doctor Geek Saves Thousands for UK Health System Making Plastic Bones

avatar By Jeanne Goddard

03 Nov 2011 42 views
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Doctor Geek Saves Thousands for UK Health System Making Plastic Bones
A trainee surgeon, who is also a self-confessed 'technology geek,' has figured out a way to save the U.K. National Health program a lot of money by taking advantage of 3D-printer technology.

A trainee surgeon has figured out a way to save the U.K. National Health program a lot of money by taking advantage of 3D-printer technology.

Success in orthopedic operations relies on surgeons having an accurate 3D model of the area where the operation will take place. Such models take time to produce and cost up to £1200 ($1,915).

Mark Frame, a self-confessed ‘technology geek,' used free open source software to convert CT scans into files which are readable by some 3D printers. Within a week, the first plastic 3D model of a child's forearm was produced and delivered at a cost of just £77 ($123).

(READ the story, or WATCH the video in BBC News)

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