Two babies who couldn't breathe properly have been fitted with a revolutionary new “throat splint” which was made from a 3D printer.
U.S. Babies Garrett Peterson, 18 months from Utah and Kabia Gionfriddo, two from Ohio were both born with a rare condition tracheomalacia. The condition can make their tracheas susceptible to collapsing and cutting off their air supplies, meaning they could potentially suffocate.
However, University of Michigan doctors have created a 3D splint to support the trachea in the event of a collapse which creates a scaffold and allowing for the area around it to heal.
The device has removed any need for further surgery as like stitches it can be dissolved.
Both parents of Garrett and Kabia turned to Michigan doctors as both of their children’s conditions gradually worsened.
Dr. Green commenting on Garrett’s condition after the device was fitted: “His condition was critical. It was urgent and things needed to be done quickly. It was highly questionable whether he would survive and how long he would survive.”
The fitted splint is designed to expand as the children grow but will dissolve completely within three years.
