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36 SMT007 MAGAZINE I NOVEMBER 2018 chemicals to a ceramic powder creating intri- cate ceramic scaffolds. It took slightly less than a day for surgeons in the Netherlands to perform the world's first complete skull trans- plant using a 3D-printed replacement skull (Figure 7). This technology helps hip and knee replace- ments last longer through developing a body- friendly calcium phosphate-based coating for the implant materials. Once integrated, the coated implants are expected to last lon- ger—potentially doubling the life of cement- ed implants. In many cases, surgeons perform partial skull removals as the brain swells, lat- er re-grafting or replacing the skull part after the patient had recovered. Doctors used to cre- ate an implant by hand right in the operating theater using a molding compound, but those implants did not always fit well. Now, they can use 3D printing to ensure that these compo- nents are an exact fit. This has major bene- fits cosmetically, and patients often have bet- ter brain function compared to the old method (Figures 8). Further, consider the combination of 3D printing an internal human organ or bone or ear replacement and combining it with 3D-printed circuits, electronic sensors, hearing aids, etc. This would make the replacement even more capable than the original (Figure 9). Conclusion Of all the disruptive areas we are seeing, 3D printing used in medicine may have some of the most far-reaching benefits for mankind. Tailor-made sensors, heart valves, ear replace- ments, synthetic skins, and even some internal organs are all being used now or are in testing. 3D printing is one of the most disruptive tech- nologies that will change medicine and health- care by doing things that were not previous- ly possible, doing it faster, and making care more affordable, accessible, and personalized. 3D printing can bring in a new era as printers become more sophisticated, materials become proven and available, and printing biomateri- als become safely regulated. SMT007 Dan Feinberg is founder and president of Fein-Line associates and a technical editor for I-Connect007. Figure 7: Skull transplant. Figure 8: 3D-printed hip. Figure 9: 3D-printed ear.