Mar 6, 2017 | By Julia
Gregario Marañón Hospital in Madrid has made headlines again by simulating a catheterization in a 3D printed heart. The news comes hot on the heels of the medical center's recent breakthrough in bio-printing human skin, which took the 3D printing community by storm this past January.
Now, the Hospital has done it again, this time by successfully carrying out a simulated catheterization in a 3D printed heart. The technique will allow physicians to test the operation before performing on a patient, raising the chances of a successful cardiac surgery without complications.
3D printed heart model
The 3D printed heart demonstration took place as part of Gregario Marañón’s ongoing Pediatric Cardiology Course, which held its 23rd edition on Saturday, March 4. The annual course, which is co-presented by the Menudos Corazones Foundation, also served as a public inauguration of Spanish Health Minister Jesús Sánchez Martos.
The Minister was vocal about the new possibilities enabled by 3D printing heart models, a strategy that is expected to help plan hemodynamic procedures, which facilitate crucial blood flow to patients’ tissues and organs.
Young participants of Gregario Marañón's 23rd Pediatric Cardiology Course
Gregario Marañón’s annual educational presentation is made for children with heart disease and their families. As part of the course, health professionals educate and equip parents and their children during workshops, providing tips for what to do in an emergency.
Other healthcare activities and workshops at this year's event included experts teaching children about hand hygiene, soap making, and oral hygiene, in a full day that rounded out the entire program of the Hospital’s children’s activities.
The high-profile education day compliments the Hospital’s ongoing commitment to the humanization of healthcare, which envisions a hospital without pain and stress.
Over the last decade, the Hospital has carried out a whopping 40 percent of Spain’s total heart transplants, and has launched a comprehensive assistance program to children with heart disease, the first of its kind in the country.
3D printed heart model
Last year alone, the Pediatric Cardiology unit at the Hospital carried out approximately 10,000 high-resolution imaging consultations, and admitted over a thousand new patients. As part of that intake, 105 children were diagnosed with heart disease.
Looking forward to the future, Gregario Marañón Hospital will continue to pioneer new applications in medical 3D printing and imaging technology. In addition to its cardiology programming, which is expected to help in the global recognition and application of 3D printed heart modelling, the Madrid hospital will continue incorporating 3D printing technology in other departments as well, including the realization of customized surgical guides, tumor resection, bone grafting, and dermal transplants.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
Maybe you also like:
- T-Bone Cape motion control board launches on Indiegogo
- New extruder could lower costs of 3D printing cellular structures for drug testing
- New Ninja Printer Plate for consumer 3D printing
- mUVe3D releases improved Marlin firmware for all 3D printers
- Zecotek plans HD 3D display for 3D printers
- Add a smart LCD controller to your Robo3D printer
- Maker Kase: a handy cabinet for 3D printers
- Heated bed for ABS printing with the Printrbot Simple XL
- Next gen all metal 3D printer extruder from Micron
- Pico all-metal hotend 100% funded in 48 hours, B3 announces Stretch Goal
- Create it REAL announces first 3D printing Real Time Processor
- A larger and more powerful 3D printer extruder on Kickstarter