Patient has 75 percent of his skull replaced with 3D-printed prosthetic

[ ](http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/08/75-percent-of-skull-replaced-3d-printed-prosthetic/)

Earlier this week, an un-named man in the United States had 75 percent of his skull replaced with a [3D-printed](http://www.engadget.com/tag/3d%20printer/) plastic prosthetic, the first-known operation of its kind. The transplant was carried out by Oxford Performance Materials, which received approval to carry out such procedures from the US Food and Drug Administration last month. The company crafted the artificial skull based on a 3D scan of the patient's head, and the polyetherketoneketone prosthetic sports holes meant to encourage the growth of new cells and bone. According to the firm, about 500 people in the US could benefit from this technology each month. It's a fascinating implementation of a technology that's better associated with [figurines](http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/29/cubify-lets-you-skin-3d-print-your-own-personal-android/) and [animation](http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/08/paranorman-taps-3d-printing/), but here's hoping we never witness the innovation firsthand.

Filed under: [Misc](http://www.engadget.com/category/misc/), [Alt](http://www.engadget.com/category/alt/)

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**Via:** [Gizmodo](http://gizmodo.com/5989386/dude-has-75-percent-of-his-skull-replaced-by-3d+printed-replica)

**Source:** [News.com.au](http://www.news.com.au/technology/patient-has-75-per-cent-of-his-skull-replaced-by-3dd-printed-implant/story-e6frfro0-1226593075470)

URL: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/08/75-percent-of-skull-replaced-3d-printed-prosthetic/