( PFA ) to treat patients with muscle and soft tissue tightness around the ankle demonstrates this . The polypropylene used had the requisite flexibility and chemical stability for medical devices such as those used by PFA . Subsequently , we were able to make more complex design alterations at both prototyping and manufacturing , adding in greater functionality such as making areas softer or more rigid .
3D printing can also be hugely effective in supporting traditional medical protocols . A good example of this is maxillofacial reconstruction . MRI scans can create models of what a patient ’ s skeleton and skull looks like , and this can be used by 3D print manufacturers to create bespoke , pre-operative models . At Ricoh , we ’ re
‘ MRI scans can create models of what a patient ’ s skeleton and skull look like , and this can be used by 3D print manufacturers to create bespoke , pre-operative models ’
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