3D-printing process promises highly-bespoke prosthetics

The advance from Nottingham University is said to offer better shape and durability, while simultaneously cutting the risk of bacterial infection.

In a statement, study lead, Dr Yinfeng He, from the Centre for Additive Manufacturing, said: “Most mass-produced medical devices fail to completely meet the unique and complex needs of their users. Similarly, single-material 3D-printing methods have design limitations that cannot produce a bespoke device with multiple biological or mechanical functions.

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“But for the first time, using a computer-aided, multi-material 3D-print technique, we demonstrate it is possible to combine complex functions within one customised healthcare device to enhance patient wellbeing.”

The University hopes the design process can be applied to 3D-print any medical device that needs customisable shapes and functions, such as highly-bespoke one-piece prosthetic limbs or joints to replace a lost finger or leg. Similarly, the process could custom print polypills optimised to release into the body in a pre-designed therapeutic sequence.