Medicine benefits from 3D inkjet printing technology

A unique approach is helping surgeons perform facial surgery or neurological surgery. The method creates three-dimensional (3D) models and structures by using inkjet printing techniques.

Z Company is a U.S. technology company that built a 3D model. First, a layer of solvent is inkjet printed, then a layer of high-precision powder is added on top, and the above process is repeated again and again. As a result, they got a model that looked three-dimensional (3D) from all angles.

In most facial reshaping or neurological surgeries, surgeons perform preliminary exploratory surgeries on their patients before full-scale surgery begins. However, a surgeon in Mexico replaced the exploratory surgical procedure with the skull of a patient built by Z company Z.

The Z press takes image data from a CT scan and converts it into a 3D model through a program. Surgeons benefited from having a replica of their patient's skull, and those skulls were originally intended to be cut; and patients benefited from their need to open the skull twice.

Z plans to build 3D models of automotive parts, packaging, fan blades and plastic houses using inkjet printing technology. Z's customers say that being able to get a physical 3D model will give them tremendous help and enhance the performance of these products.