Baltimore-based University of Maryland Medical Center partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to expand and refine its 3D-printing surgical planning program, The Baltimore Sun reports.
What you should know:
1. The hospital has been using 3D-printed models for its cardiology and orthopedic programs.
2. The models help surgeons plan for procedures and to visualize what they're going to see once they open up a patient.
3. University of Maryland Medical Center pediatric cardiologist Carissa Baker-Smith, MD, spoke highly of 3D printing, saying, "I see it being an invaluable resource."
4. In orthopedics, the hospital is using 3D-printed shoulder models to visualize patient anatomy more clearly and ensure hardware is properly placed.
5. The hospital's efforts are limited by the FDA, though. The FDA has yet to approve a specific piece of software that would expand the use of shoulder modeling.