In a collaboration between the Melbourne-based medical device company Anatomics and Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), a cancer patient diagnosed with a chest wall sarcoma received a 3D-printed titanium sternum and rib implants.

After the diagnosis, the surgical team made the decision to remove the 54-year-old man's sternum and a portion of his rib cage, and replace it with an implant. The implant was designed and manufactured by medical device company, Anatomics, who utilized CSIRO’s 3D printing facility, Lab 22.

To address the complexity of replicating the intricate structures of the ribs and sternum, the surgical team used metallic 3D printing.

Through high-resolution CT data, the Anatomics team was able to create a 3D reconstruction of the chest wall and tumor, allowing the surgeons to plan and accurately define resection margins. Using the model, the team designed an implant with a rigid sternal core. Semi-flexible titanium rods acted as prosthetic ribs attached to the sternum.

Working with experts at CSIRO’s Lab 22, the team then manufactured the implant out of surgical-grade titanium alloy.

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