DOHA: An application that would see 3D printing methods applied to knee replacement surgery has been awarded the first prize in a 3D printing competition hosted by Texas A&M University in Qatar (TAMUQ).
A team from Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Orthopaedics Department won the prize in Seventh Visualisation Development and Third 3D Printing Competition, which encourages the most innovative uses of 3D visualisation and printing techniques that allow users transfer applications to visualisation and 3D printing systems.
The tool for orthopaedic patients is expected to significantly improve outcomes for them by enabling surgeons to individually tailor tools for each patient.
The winning project, ‘Patient-Specific Implant Spacer in Infected Total Knee Replacement (TKR) using 3D technology’, was led by Dr Mohammed Al Ateeq Al Dosari, Director, Bone and Joint Centre, HMC, Dr Shamsi Abdul Hameed, Specialist, Orthopaedics Department, Dr Khalid Hasan, Resident, Orthopaedics, and Yasser M Al Hamidi, Laboratory Manager, Mechanical Engineering Programme, TAMUQ.
The project was selected as the best concept and design by a panel of judges comprising faculty and design engineers from TAMUQ.
Representatives from other local organisations also participated in the competition, including TAMUQ, Sidra Medical and Research Centre and Qatar Robotic Surgery Centre.
According to Dr Al Dosari, one of the most promising applications of 3D printing in healthcare is its ability to produce patient-specific devices.
“We are delighted to have collaborated with engineers from TAMUQ to jointly design this concept that can be routinely used in revision knee surgeries.
“Using this model, a personalised spacer (a displacement aid in surgery) can be specifically designed for each patient for their bone condition,” Dr Al Dosari said.
“We anticipate that the use of the individually-tailored tool in knee replacement surgery will significantly reflect in better outcomes for our patients.
“This builds from HMC’s commitment to provide the safest, most effective and most compassionate care to each and every one of our patients,” Dr Al Dosari noted.
He said the project is intended to be featured at international scientific forums.
The Peninsula
