3D Printing the Future of Surgery.

3D printing has had and will continue to have impacts on many areas. One of the most hotly anticipated areas for 3D printing to impact is medicine. By 3D printing medical models, students, doctors and other staff members can get a hands-on learning experience of a pathology, organ or a part of the human anatomy. 3D prints can be made illustrating all manner of conditions or states. These models can be touched, passed around, discussed and are used as a learning tool worldwide. They can be used by residents, medical students, nurses or even to help patients understand their condition or operation. Initially 3D printed medical prototypes were high end and often hand painted affairs. They cost hundreds or thousands of dollars and competed with hand made models. Now desktop 3D printed medical prototypes are providing for an extremely low cost alternative.continue