3D Printing in Health Care

From patient-specific surgical models to life-saving implants, 3D printing is helping care teams plan smarter, treat faster and personalize care for patients.

 Person in scrubs holding 2 3D printed models of chest and abdomen structures of conjoined twins.

Michigan Medicine leverages 3D printing to enhance patient care, education, and clinical innovation across the health system.

Through point-of-care 3D printing, clinicians and engineers use data from CT and MRI scans to create patient-specific anatomical models, surgical guides, and specialized tools that support preparation for complex procedures.

These customized solutions help improve surgical planning, communication with patients, and hands-on medical education.

3D printing is also advancing medical education and research, enabling teams to rapidly prototype new devices and supporting simulation procedures in realistic ways.

With 3D printing, Michigan Medicine is advancing more personalized, efficient, and innovative health care delivery.

Learn how 3D printing is advancing health care at Michigan Medicine

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Health Lab

Michigan Medicine Team Separates Conjoined Twins at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital

Conjoined twins attached at the chest and abdomen recently underwent successful separation surgery at Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
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Health Lab

3-year-old back to cheerful self following complex surgery for rare aggressive chest tumor

A young girl gets back to her childhood after a 3D printed replica of her tumor helps her Michigan Medicine surgical team perform a successful operation.
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Health Lab

3D metallic rib implants from Spain give teenage cancer patient a second chance

A pediatric cancer patient received new 3D metallic ribs from Spain to help treat and manage her disease.
Health Lab

Personalized Device Could Support Multiple COVID-19 Patients From Single Ventilator

3D printing fuels U-M efforts to rapidly increase ventilator capacity while providing each patient on vent support with individually tailored gas pressures and pressure monitoring.