“The Department of Veterans Affairs’ innovation chief is eyeing novel uses of new technology in the pursuit of continuing to improve veteran care, and one area he sees growing is in point-of-care manufacturing.”
“‘One of the market dynamics that’s shifting predominantly in health care is that concept of point-of-care manufacturing. This is using additive technology,’ said Dr. Ryan Vega, VA’s chief officer of Healthcare Innovation and Learning, during an ACT-IAC conference. ‘If you think of traditional manufacturing, it’s subtractive. ‘Additive’ manufactures something layer by layer.'”
“Using computer-aided design (CAD) or 3D object scanners, additive manufacturing creates health care solutions with precise geometric shapes. These are built layer by layer with a 3D-printing process, which contrasts with traditional manufacturing that often requires machining or other techniques to remove surplus material.”
“Vega explained that the rise of 3D printing in medicine has enabled VA to create and replicate personalized veteran care. VA launched a series of new medical 3D-printing applications in March to provide advanced prosthetics care.”
“The agency is working to find more advanced and customizable ways of restoring mobility and limb function to veterans who have suffered critical injuries. VA’s 3D-printing network has been tasked with a range of local pilot programs, conducting autonomous research to personalize and improve veteran care…”
“VA is also developing the use of extended reality (XR), which can be used to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression, as well as in clinical applications like pain management.”
“‘We’re seeing the use of extended reality, whether it’s augmented or virtual, for a whole host of different types of care delivery, whether it’s virtual reality for physical therapy in the home or … surgical navigation and operating,’ Vega said…” Read the full article here.
Source: Emerging Uses of 3D Printing, Manufacturing are Transforming Veteran Care – By Sarah Sybert, May 31, 2022. GovCIO.
