With the holiday season approaching, it’s time to reflect and think about our family, friends, colleagues and customers. We all have so much to be thankful for. With that in mind, 3D Systems is honored to have aided in the groundbreaking full face transplant of Patrick Hardison, a former volunteer firefighter from Mississippi.
In the completion of this complex procedure, Dr. Eduardo D. Rodriguez, chair of the Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU’s Langone Medical Center, and his team relied on 3D Systems’ Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP®) to achieve the highest possible accuracy in surgical cuts and grafts.
VSP uses medical scan data to derive 3D models that can be 3D printed as anatomical structures for visualization, or adapted to create patient-specific instruments and guides. In this case, two precise patterns of cuts were generated: one for the donor’s anatomy and one for Patrick. Transferal templates for Patrick were likewise 3D printed using a biocompatible material that can be sterilized and used in the OR.
Patrick’s case is an amazing example of how 3D printing technology is transforming the way we work, learn and live. We hope you enjoy this story and wish you and your loved ones the very best this holiday season.
Read more about Patrick Hardison’s inspiring story on our the 3D Systems blog.