3-D-Printed Prosthetic Implants Could Improve Treatment for Hearing Loss
From: Medical Design Technology - 12/04//2017

Researchers using CT scans and 3-D printing have created accurate,
custom-designed prosthetic replacements for damaged parts of the middle ear,
according to a study being presented today at the annual meeting of the
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). The technique has the potential
to improve a surgical procedure that often fails because of incorrectly sized
prosthetic implants, researchers said.

The researchers removed the middle linking bone in the ossicular chain from
three human cadavers and imaged the structures with CT. They employed an
inexpensive 3-D printer to create prostheses to restore continuity for each
of the middle ears. The prostheses were made from a resin that hardens when
exposed to ultraviolet laser light. Each of the prostheses had unique
measurements.

Read the entire article at:
https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2017/12/3-d-printed-prosthetic-implants-could-improve-treatment-hearing-loss

Links:
Jeffrey D. Hirsch
https://findadoctor.umm.edu/details/24142/jeffrey-hirsch-diagnostic_radiology-baltimore-columbia-la_plata-laplata-laurel
https://www.healthcare4ppl.com/physician/maryland/baltimore/jeffrey-d-hirsch-1023097060.html

UMSOM study highlights 3D printed implants to reverse hearing loss
https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/umsom-study-highlights-3d-printed-implants-reverse-hearing-loss-125505

How 3D Printing Could End Hearing Loss (with video 1:43)
https://news.thomasnet.com/featured/how-3d-printing-could-end-hearing-loss

Related:
Doctor Restores Patient's Hearing with First Ever Prosthesis
https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2015/12/doctor-restores-patients-hearing-first-ever-prosthesis

Researchers Develop High-Precision Surgical Robot for Cochlear Implantation
https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2017/03/researchers-develop-high-precision-surgical-robot-cochlear-implantation

Mother with Hearing Loss Discovers Rare Tumor, Helps Pioneer Surgery through
  Ear
https://www.mdtmag.com/article/2016/09/mother-hearing-loss-discovers-rare-tumor-helps-pioneer-surgery-through-ear

First Hearing Aid Capable of Communicating with a Cochlear Implant
https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2016/05/first-hearing-aid-capable-communicating-cochlear-implant