VGH率先采用3D打印定制夹板,平均可节省60至90分钟

Vancouver General Hospital（VGH） 开始使用按需3D打印流程制作定制医疗夹板。BC省卫生厅表示，这是北美首个采用这一3D打印解决方案的医院。

这项技术主要用于康复护理。过去制作定制夹板高度依赖治疗师手工操作，而新的数字化流程可以让医护人员按照原有方式为患者测量，之后由数字系统完成设计和制造等环节。

根据BC省政府公布的数据，新流程平均可以为职业治疗师及患者节省60至90分钟。患者也能够更早拿到适合自己的定制夹板，从而更快开始治疗，有助于恢复活动能力和独立生活能力。

此外，在本地制作3D打印夹板还可以减少对国际供应商和运输的依赖，并通过更高效的制造方式减少运输时间、排放和材料浪费。BC省政府认为，VGH的项目也可以为未来在省内其他地区推广类似技术提供参考。

Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) has launched an on-demand 3D-printing process to produce customized medical splints. The B.C. Ministry of Health says VGH is the first hospital in North America to introduce this 3D-printing solution. 

The technology is being used in rehabilitation care. Traditionally, producing custom splints has relied heavily on the manual skills of therapists. Under the new digital process, health-care professionals can continue taking patient measurements as they normally would, while the digital workflow handles steps such as design and fabrication.

According to the B.C. government, the new process can save occupational therapists and their patients an average of 60 to 90 minutes. Patients can also receive customized splints sooner and begin treatment earlier, supporting their recovery, mobility and independence. 

Producing 3D-printed splints locally can also reduce reliance on international suppliers and shipping. A more efficient manufacturing process can reduce transportation time, emissions and material waste. The B.C. government says the VGH initiative could also serve as a model for expanding similar technology elsewhere in the province.