Ottawa Hospital 3D printing medical program
Dr. Adnan Sheikh, from Ottawa Hospital's Radiology department, holds an exact replica of a patient’s pelvis that has one hip eaten away by cancer.
The very first hospital-based multi-departmental Medical 3D Printing Program has been launched in Canada.
Aimed at improving surgical planning and enhancing education and research the Ottawa Hospital has become the first medical centre in the North American country to open a department of its kind. The programme has been developed in collaboration with the University of Ottawa.
Ottawa Hospital hopes the new 3D printing programme will allow doctors to produce models for the planning and practice of complex surgeries, develop prosthetics for patients, and create new research opportunities. Additionally, the hospital is confident the new programme will position its Medical Imaging Department at the forefront of international developments in radiology and moves it closer to becoming one of the top hospitals on the continent.
“3D modelling will allow surgeons to create detailed anatomical plans in advance of the patient arriving in the operating room,” said Dr Frank Rybicki, Chief of Medical Imaging at The Ottawa Hospital and Chair of Radiology at the University of Ottawa. “This is about personalised medicine that reduces the need for invasive surgeries, lengthy anaesthetics and ultimately improves outcomes at a reduced cost.”
3D technology has been introduced to the hospital in an attempt to improve patient care and provide new ways to meet the medical needs of those who visit The Ottawa Hospital. Providing new opportunities for research and treatment, the technology will also reduce operating times, resulting in better patient outcomes with a lesser likelihood of complications during surgery.
“This is an important and exciting step as we move forward with our vision of providing 21st century care for the people of eastern Ontario,” said Dr Jack Kitts, President and CEO of The Ottawa Hospital. “Our 3D Medical Printing Program opens the door to many exciting and innovative research opportunities, but most importantly it will improve the care we provide for our patients.”
Ottawa Hospital’s new 3D technology will allow doctors to print replica organs and better explain patient’s diagnoses, as well as know ahead of time how to conduct the operation, saving time and money.
