Dramatic news headlines imply that the use of additive manufacturing/3D printing in medicine is a brand new way to save and improve lives. The truth is, it's not so new. Twenty years ago anatomical models were beginning to be used for planning complicated surgeries. In 2000, hearing aid cases were being 3D-printed and within a few years became industry standard. Medical applications have been a leader in taking 3D printing technology far beyond a product development tool. The combination of using medical imaging data to create patient-matched devices and the ability to manufacture structures difficult to produce with traditional technologies is compelling to an industry always looking for ways to innovate.
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