3D Printed Casts

[Oseirus]

Okay, so maybe not *strictly* tech related, but it is a pretty cool concept. Apparently this Jake Evill (lovely name) guy has created a working concept of a lightweight, ventilated, washable, and recyclable cast for broken bones using a hacked Xbox 360 Kinect and a 3D printer. We've seen 3D printing successfully used in medical procedures before, and I think we can all agree the traditional method for casting is woefully in need of an upgrade.

 

Full article found http://www.wired.com/design/2013/07/is-this-cast-the-future-of-healing-broken-bones/'>here on Wired.com.

 

This project is still in its very early stages, and at the end of the article Mr. Evill notes that he's currently looking for partners to try and turn this into a reality. So who knows, maybe a few years down the road we'll all be disappointed when we can't draw lewd pictures on our friend's broken ankle.

[JordanMac]

They'll have to speed the machines up a fair bit, from seeing the ones at my university the bone will heal before the cast is completed.

[JAKEBAB]

whats wrong with normal casts? i dont see the point in this.

[JordanMac]

whats wrong with normal casts? i dont see the point in this.

Same here, all they do at the moment is slap on some plaster and rap some cloth around it. quick and simple.

[Oseirus]

The issue with regular casts is that they are kinda cumbersome and you can't get them wet. The point of this concept is to provide a cast that's much more comfortable and lighter to wear during the healing process, and your arm or leg or whatever doesn't reek like six month old cheese when you finally get the thing cut off. Plus, why not? It's too simple not to do. The cost of 3D printing drops daily, and as the technology improves you can create more complex and more durable objects. I honestly do see this, or something very similar to this, becoming the norm in a few years. 

[EChondo]

The issue with regular casts is that they are kinda cumbersome and you can't get them wet. The point of this concept is to provide a cast that's much more comfortable and lighter to wear during the healing process, and your arm or leg or whatever doesn't reek like six month old cheese when you finally get the thing cut off. Plus, why not? It's too simple not to do. The cost of 3D printing drops daily, and as the technology improves you can create more complex and more durable objects. I honestly do see this, or something very similar to this, becoming the norm in a few years.

As someone who has worn a cast 4 times, three on one arm and one on the other. Casts aren't that bad. My arm didn't smell like "six month old cheese", it did have a unique smell to it, more like dirt, but not anything as bad as cheese.

OT: I see nothing wrong with current casts. They haven't changed much over the years, so unless the 3D printed ones are just to save materials(yeah right), then I don't really see the point.

[remenomen]

I read the the title as '3D printed cats' and immediately clicked on it. I'm disappointed now.

[hunterman1043]

I read the the title as '3D printed cats' and immediately clicked on it. I'm disappointed now.

 

This made me laugh.