Does anyone have a view about the potential disruption in othopedics prosthesis design and manufacturing of 3D printing technology? In theory, combining individual patient's anatomy captured by CAD/CAM with 3 D printing manufacturing it could be possible to produce "100% taylor-made prosthesis and eliminate inventory. What about the regulatory requirements for implantable devices made with 3D Printing?

Emma Xie 3D printing can not realize the high smooth surface.

Andy Molnar 3D printing is being used extensively in dentistry for invisalign (invisible braces), teeth impression models, (instead of Plaster), drill guides for guided surgery. These are all small and relatively low cost items. 3 D machines are a good investment for companies and dental laboratories, as they are fast, convenient and can mark up the price to their customers.

Companies like GE can't afford to miss opportunities arising out of high growth in 3D fabrication because it is the new way to look at what things around us are - whether it is a simple FMCG good or a complex medical implant or nutritious food. The expiry of certain patents recently has helped this market advance fast.

Highly smooth surfaces are easily obtained with 3D printing. It depends on system.

I am surprised that GE did not enter this field sooner. I worked in a 3D printing industry (SLA) for 7 years and there are numerous medical applications.

If GE uses "Healthymagination" in this business, can be a great opportunity develop new technology improving access and cost- benefit ! Let's see ...

"3D printing" or additive manufacturing is the future... now.

GE involvement can only accelerate things. New scanning technologies combined with open-source but sophisticated software innovative thermoplastics and commercial/engineer quality "enthusiast" printers in the 5-10K range. There are some caveats with all of this (porosity, strength, dual extrusion capability, etc.) but there are caveats with all technologies. 3D prosthetics and orthotics will still require a high degree of attention to detail, advanced assessments and top-drawer manufacturing skill.

Exciting, if you ask me, at Ashfield Orthotics.

It takes up. a lot of work to update. we can help. orthopaedic our field and we have 3D

3D printing is coming up for manufacturing of high end products until its cost come down to reasonable level , but it is lowering at inflexion point like semi conduction industry. For medical application , dental ,orthopedics, it need to couple with 3D visualization software and AI design automation to made patients specific viable in mass scale . Regulatory front, FDA is just trying to set standards on 3D print. China, Japan not yet have clear pathway. Europe and Austrialia have initial regulatory path but more work to be done by many countries regulators. We are working on it to overcome various barriers , technology, standards, regulatory. Its challenging but exciting!

I believe, soon 3D panorama picture of teeth and jaws will show patients what is hidden between or in their mouth, before paying over estimated bills. Enlarging some pictures will show why some people have bad smell or to be careful before kissing.

Art Pichierri Is anyone familiar with 3-D and tissue development with stem cells etc.?