North Bristol opens medical centre for 3D scanning and printing

North Bristol NHS Trust has opened a centre for 3D scanning and printing, providing technology for the development of bespoke prosthetics and devices.

The centre, based in the Beckspool building in Frenchay, brings together expertise for digital planning, design and manufacturing of patient-specific devices and medical models.

Amy Davey, senior reconstructive scientist at North Bristol, said: “Surface scanning patients for prosthetics means that patients can be scanned while moving, and this technology can use that movement to aid the prostheses to accommodate movement.

“The old method of producing a helmet for babies with plagiocephaly and brachycephaly required a general anaesthetic to eliminate movement whilst the mould of the baby’s skull was produced.

“With 3D surface scanning, the baby can move around freely and happily, and a 3D printed helmet subsequently produced from that scan.”

The 3D Medical Centre provides scientific and technical support to North Bristol and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, as well as the South West region and the rest of the UK.

As well as developing new techniques, the centre is finding various new applications, such as 3D models to help surgeons prepare for surgery.

For example, a model of a damaged kidney showing the area to be removed and highlighting nerves and blood vessels can be used as a tool to plan the operation.

Most of the equipment within the centre is funded by donations to Southmead Hospital Charity, the official charity of North Bristol NHS Trust. This enabled the trust to purchase the main 3D surface scanner, as well as the accompanying software, desktop surface scanner and AR headset.

Professor Tim Whittlestone, chief medical officer at North Bristol, said: “I am delighted that the Bristol 3D Medical Centre is now open and operational.

“On behalf of the Bristol NHS Group of hospitals, I would like to thank key donors to Southmead Hospital Charity.

“Thanks to these donations, this has become one of the first centres of its kind in the UK and another innovative partnership between North Bristol and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston.”

NBT recently revealed that more than 9,000 robotic surgeries have been completed at Southmead Hospital, part of the trust.