The team uses pre-op CT scans to create 3D models of the kidneys, which are then transferred to the printer. The kidney is then printed out of two different materials so that the tumor and vasculature stand out from the rest of the organ. This allows the surgeons to initially see the tumor and vessels that will be much harder to spot during actual surgery.
Category: Release_Candidate
Formerly a separate Gadget/Tech blog, now all the old posts are integrated into Pattern Recognition.
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6-axis 3D Printer
This is pretty fabulous. I want to see a 3D print extrusion head on a fully mobile robotic arm, though.
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RHex the Parkour Robot
This is beautiful and terrifying.
Really great article about how 3D printing will compliment other manufacturing techniques, and what it’s really good for.
Never before have we had a technology where we can so freely translate our ideas into a tangible object with little regard to the machinery or skills available. Yet just as the microwave didn’t replace all other forms of cooking as initially predicted, 3-D printing will not replace other manufacturing technologies let alone industrial-scale ones for a variety of reasons. It will complement them.
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Pneumatic logic
The RepRap project was how I first learned about 3d printing. It has the remarkable mission, in that I’m remarking about it, of printing all of the parts to make another printer. Wow. Well, in principle, all of the circuits can be replaced with pneumatic ones. And also, you know, it might make a cool theme for a sci-fi flick. Just imagine a 3d printer printing with a background of hydraulic valves, pumps and hoses. Generate a pressure difference with steam and you’ve made a steam punk wet dream.
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Printrbot Simple
Anyone interested in a $300 3D printer? How cheap can one of these get?
The Printrbot Simple is an exercise in 3d printing minimalism. It includes only what is needed to get started in the world of 3D printing. At $299, we think you will agree that it is both tiny…and a really big deal.
This looks great, but screams “vaporware” to me. Mixing PLA after it’s melted to achieve different colors? Auto-leveling build plate? Built in support for PVA dual-extruder supports? It’s all technically possible, but way, way non-trivial.
But maybe! I’ll keep an eye on this one.
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