3D technology helping doctors better diagnose, treat patients
Doctors across the country are finding new ways to diagnose and treat patients with the help of 3D technology.
Tufts Medical Center in Boston is using a process called HeartFlow Analysis, which allows doctors to view 3D images of what’s happening inside the arteries.
HeartFlow allows doctors to track a patient's blood flow without invasive surgery.
"We've never been able to measure blood flow directly without doing an invasive procedure," Dr. James Udelson said. "The blood flow data that comes from the HeartFlow technology is quite similar to the invasive catheterization data."
In Pennsylvania, doctors used 3D technology to save the life of Ramiah Martin, who spent the first 13 months of her life in the hospital after being born without a windpipe.
Doctors at Penn State Children's Hospital in Hershey created a windpipe using a 3D model of Ramiah’s esophagus. They strengthened it with a small, plastic-like piece created on a 3D printer.
It’s the first time something like this has been done, and because of it, Ramiah can finally go home.
"It’s not just technology, it’s not just innovation," Dr. Robert Cilley said. "It’s application to real people, real flesh and blood."