Amazing Attachments
Regular readers of this blog will know that we've shared many wonderful stories about the use of 3D printing in the field of medicine. The technology has quickly been adopted for everything from the growth of replacement organs to the creation of prosthetic limbs. The processes associated with 3D printing could become one of the most revolutionary advances in the history of modern medicine.
With all the advances made so far, perhaps the most pleasant surprise is that they're showing no signs of slowing. Thanks to this technology, ailments and disabilities previously thought to have no treatment could have possible cures. The following stories document the latest advances of medical 3D printing, and it's safe to say they won't be the last.
Homegrown Hearts
Scientists at the University of Florida recently made headlines when they revealed that they'd created a new gel-based 3D-printing process. Printed using this process, the final product is less likely to fall apart after printing is complete. The University had successfully printed complex shapes with a variety of materials, including living cells from human blood vessels and canine kidneys. Although this would seem to be the perfect prelude for the printing of replacement organs, the university's team was unable to keep the living cells alive within the gel. That's where Carnegie Mellon comes in.
Image via IFL Science.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon have long been working on their own process for 3D-printing organs. They recently had a major breakthrough when they concluded that they could successfully print a working human heart. Using a chemical-based gel process of their own design, the researchers began printing arteries and veins.
The heart being an organ that is unable to repair itself when injured, the importance of the Carnegie process was not lost on its creators. Although printing a complete organ is still expensive and time-consuming, the idea that it may become a commonplace process isn't so far-fetched anymore.
Heavily Armed
The ability to procure a prosthetic limb isn't only a matter of restoring physical ability. Social stigmas associated with being an amputee must be overcome. Great strides have been made in making modern prosthetics as visually appealing as they are functional. Yet, as appealing as the new designs are, they still lack sensation, and may draw unwanted attention to the amputee. It has long been the goal of prosthetic designers to create a skin-like covering that would look as real as organic skin and provide a sense of touch to the wearer. Science has just moved one step closer to attaining these goals.
Image via Gizmodo.
Researchers at Stanford University, led by electrical engineer Benjamin Tee, have created a system they call DiTact (The Digital Tactical System). It uses a series of sensors in the prosthetic which sends signals back to the optical nerves in the brain, restoring a sense of touch to the amputee. What's more, the artificial skin is made from flexible material. The next step will be to recreate the look of organic flesh. This is, however, only a long-term goal for the Stanford team.
As inspiring as the above stories are, it's too soon to say that made-to-order organs will be readily available. But with 3D-printing technology being used to create everything from fire arms to human teeth, don't be surprised if printed replacements come sooner than you'd expect.
Modern Day Mapping
The practical purpose of maps has often overshadowed their artistic value. Maps are meant to be easy-to-read guides that lead you from Point A to Point B. At the same time, their design is the work of skilled illustrators taking great pains to make the maps not only practical, but visually appealing as well.
As technology advances and borders are redrawn, it's tempting to think of old maps as obsolete relics. But they provide a fascinating look at the world as it once existed, and the illustrative methods that were once considered state of the art. The following two stories show us how far we've come and perhaps provide a glimpse of what lies ahead.
Course Plotter
There are few people in the United States who can read an atlas as well as John Hessler can. A cartography expert for the Library of Congress, he's made it his life's work to chart the evolution of the visual guides that humans have used to get around. One of the most important things he's discovered is that the visual design of a map is just as important as the geographical data it represents.
Image via Wired.
"What we're looking at whenever we're looking at a map is an abstraction," Hessler says. "Really what we're doing is like any visual art or design; were taking extreme complexity that takes place in the real world and abstracting it to simple visual images that help us understand complex interactions." Hessler showcases a great deal of his knowledge in the new Phaidon Publishing book Map: Exploring the World. The book collects over three hundred historical maps from all over the world.
Big Apple on the Tree
Although the isle of Manhattan is renowned for being a hub of cultural change, its place as a hub of geographical change can sometimes prove controversial. Both historians and casual New Yorkers have wondered what it would be like to see The Big Apple before the skyscrapers were built. Thanks to the Wildlife Conservation Society, you can.
Image via Mental Floss.
The Welikia Project is a digital experiment by the WCS which takes satellite images of modern-day Manhattan and replaces them with realistic visualizations of how they would have looked in years past. This allows users to see the city covered entirely with flora and fauna.
It's impossible to predict how maps may be used in the distant future, because it's impossible to know what new areas will be discovered next. But, then, part of the fun of looking at maps is documenting how far you've come.
3D-Printed LEGO Limbs Help Child Amputees Adjust
Longtime readers of this blog know that we're quite fond of LEGOs and fascinated by the use of 3D printing in the field of medicine. So when news broke of these two elements being brought together, it was only a matter of time before we told you folks about it.
A Man with a Plan
Colombian-born designer Carlos Arturo Torres interned for six months at LEGO's Future Lab. Impressed by the company's dedication to social outreach, Torres convinced them to sponsor a trip back to his hometown of Bogotá, wherein he would observe amputees at Cirec, a rehabilitation center. After spending time in the center’s youth ward, Torres came up with an idea to make a medical attachment out of their favorite toys.
Double Trouble for Young Amputees
As Torres discovered, amputee children not only have to function with a missing limb, but also face a greater social stigma amongst their peers. "My friends in psychology used to tell me that when a kid has a disability, he is not really aware of it until he faces society," says Torres. "That's when they have a super rough encounter."
Introducing Personalized Prosthetics
Torres' design, named "Iko", is for amputees aged to 3-12, covering many of the most important developmental years in a child's life. The attachment allows the child to accessorize and customize the prosthetic as they see fit, helping to build the patient's self-esteem as well as providing functional movement.
After successfully testing the prototypes at Cirec, Torres hopes to have 15 more units ready by this December, with a full production line ready by mid-2017.
The Latest and Greatest 3D Printing
ust a few weeks ago, International CES wrapped up in Las Vegas. This conference is one of the largest technology-focused conferences in the world and often sets the tone for consumer products. However, it sometimes doesn't capture other trends like 3D printing, especially in medicine or other fields. We wanted to highlight two accomplishments: one involving a 3D printed model of a brain tumor, and the other involving a 3D printed drone. These examples are sure to get you excited about the printing world!
Highlights from CES 2015
Every January, the tech world comes to gravitate around International CES, a global technology conference held yearly in Las Vegas to showcase devices and ideas that will set the stage for the year and well into the future. Sometimes there are products that consumers will have access to immediately whereas other products are merely in the testing stages. Whatever the case, these products are an exciting look into the industry's future. Here are some of our favorites so far.
New Year's Resolutions for 2015
It's that time of year where we start to reflect on all that we've accomplished in 2014 and all that we wish we had gotten done. Out of these reflections come our 2015 resolutions. While it's often true we don't follow through on these resolutions too far into the new year, it doesn't mean they're hopeless. We have a few tech-focused ideas that can be implemented easily and another general suggestion for staying on track with major creative goals. What are you waiting for?
Your 2014 Holiday Gift Buying Guide
We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday! If you're anything like us, you're getting ready to celebrate the next wave of holiday gatherings and parties that are coming up in December. Whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, or a non-denominational winter celebration, we wanted to create a guide that has some perfect tech-focused or productivity-boosting gifts that are perfect for all different ages. Instead of searching across the Internet, you can make buying choices with the click of your mouse.
Reviving the Letterpress Printer
Did you know that letterpress printing has been around since around 1440, when Johannes Gutenberg developed a machine that would lock movable letters into place and use a press to transfer ink from the letters onto a sheet of paper? This technique revolutionized the way we share information by allowing books and other documents to be created much more quickly. Since 1440, this technology has evolved beyond this labor intensive method, but we wanted to highlight a little bit more of its history and why some people have still decided to use it today.
Mobile Apps to Maximize the Fall Season
Fall is here, as evidenced by masses of people chugging on pumpkin spice lattes as they watch the leaves start to turn to vibrant shades of yellow, orange and red. Have you been wondering how to take advantage of everything fall has to offer? We have a few app suggestions that will let you find the perfect fall foliage, color coordinate those leaves to interior decorating ideas, and eat more healthy options, especially as we transition into the holiday season.
Teenagers Changing the World Through Technology
When you were 17 years old, you were probably thinking about finishing up high school, or finding the perfect date to prom. But there are some teens who are coming up with incredible inventions that have the power to change the world for many of those who are most disadvantaged. As we move out of the lull of summer, we wanted to highlight some projects that can inspire your creativity as we move into the fall season. (They might also serve as inspiration to your kids who are in middle school or high school.)
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