Description
The discussion features Richard Hurley moderating a Q&A with experts Ivan Wong and Spencer Montgomery on 3D printing in medicine, specifically focusing on the materials and methods used for creating 3D models for surgical procedures.
Ivan explains that he uses PLA filament, a cost-effective extruded plastic option, and shares his experiences transitioning from SLA printers that utilize laser-hardened liquid plastic but are expensive and require substantial cleaning. He emphasizes the practical advantages of 3D printing, including quicker processes and the ability to create models tailored to specific surgical needs.
Spencer contributes insights about the challenges of printing complex structures like trabecular bone and addresses the pros and cons of various printing technologies. They both highlight the educational benefits and efficiency of producing models in-house, which segue into discussions about virtual reality (VR) technologies in medical training. Danny Goel rounds out the conversation, discussing the integration of VR into residency programs and current implementations across several educational institutions.
The conversation also touches on recycling capabilities of materials, like PLA, and the impact of these models on patient understanding of their surgical procedures.