Conventional casts made by wrapping plaster or fiberglass around the patient’s body have been the standard of care for decades, but they can have significant drawbacks. For the patient, casts can be heavy, awkward and itchy. For the healthcare provider, they are time-consuming to create and can hinder patient care. Casting material can harbor moisture or bacteria, and hide infections or other skin conditions. And, casts often need to be cut off and replaced in the course of the healing process. ActivArmor offers an alternative that is durable, waterproof and contoured to the patient’s anatomy using data from a 3D scan. The 3D printed casts and splints make it possible to X-ray the injury without removal; easily monitor the skin; and even allow the patient to swim, exercise and bathe as usual. In this episode, we get a first-hand look at these 3D devices being used by professional athletes, Olympians and regular people. And, the team physician for the Jacksonville Jaguars weighs in the difference these casts make for both his players and clinical patients.

This episode of The Cool Parts Show brought to you by Carpenter Additive.

LEARN MORE:

- Much more on ActivArmor and how it creates these devices: https://www.additivemanufacturing.med...

- Another 3D printed device that helps its user stay active in sports: https://www.additivemanufacturing.med...

- Doctors are manufacturers in a sense, as we explore in this episode; so are dentists https://www.additivemanufacturing.med...

- More custom products that start with a 3D scan:

glasses frames https://www.additivemanufacturing.med...

prostheses https://www.additivemanufacturing.med...

shoe insoles https://www.additivemanufacturing.med...

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