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National 3D Printing Day - Transforming Veteran Health Care |
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December 3 marks National 3D Printing Day—a celebration of an industry that has transformed manufacturing over the last few decades. Since the invention of stereolithography in 1984, 3D printing has advanced rapidly, and nowhere is its impact more significant than in Veteran health care. At VA, the Office of Advanced Manufacturing (OAM) began during the COVID-19 pandemic to address critical health care shortages and provide timely solutions for Veterans. Today, it serves as an in-house resource, using cutting-edge 3D printing technologies to meet the unique needs of Veterans.
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OAM’s digital dentistry technology integrates advanced 3D printing to revolutionize dental care for Veterans. Using precise digital scans and computer-aided design (CAD) software, OAM creates dental prosthetics such as dentures, night guards, and crowns with unparalleled accuracy. Once finalized, the design is fabricated with biocompatible materials, ensuring a durable, comfortable fit for each Veteran.
Having recently gained dental eligibility, sparked one Veteran’s decision to seek treatment with OAM. After enduring facial trauma and years of mismatched dentures, he received 3D-printed dentures at VA Puget Sound and shared, “The dentures are awesome—feel great, and look great!”
By combining cutting-edge technology with personalized care, OAM is transforming the Veteran dental experience, delivering life-changing solutions faster and more effectively than ever.
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For U.S. Air Force Veteran Shireta Jones, 3D printing provided a solution that restored her independence. After a stroke left her with limited mobility, Ms. Jones discovered pickleball but struggled to serve the ball. The engineer at OAM’s Richmond site designed a pickleball cap with a ball tray on the brim, allowing her to serve independently and enjoy the game she loves. Her sister, Nicole Booth, shares, “They’re amazed by the ingenuity.” Ms. Jones’s story demonstrates how OAM’s assistive technology can transform lives.
The pickleball cap showcases how 3D printing enables the creation of complex, precise geometries that would be difficult to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. By using lightweight, durable materials and iterative prototyping, the device was personalized to meet Ms. Jones unique physical needs while maintaining ease of use and functionality. “3D printing lets us quickly adapt designs based on real-time feedback from the user, ensuring the final product meets their goals,” says Kelly Salguero, a clinical rehab engineer with OAM.
This is just one example of how OAM transforms Veterans’ daily lives, using advanced techniques to create assistive devices tailored to their specific goals and abilities.
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OAM’s 3D Pre-Procedural Models (PPMs) enhance surgical planning and communication. These anatomically accurate models, created from Veterans’ imaging scans, allow surgeons to prepare with precision while helping Veterans understand complex procedures.
For U.S. Navy Veteran Earl Buckwalter, the 3D printed glenohumeral shoulder model not only reduced his anxiety but also helped his surgeon strategize every step of the operation. Mr. Buckwalter ‘s experience reflects how OAM’s innovations are transforming Veteran care.
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Mr. Buckwalter shares “The Shoulder Surgery was just one more of the many unpublished success stories. The surgery has significantly improved the mobility and range of motion of my shoulder, and ultimately my quality of life! I am pleased. It was my honor to be a part of further advancements in the VA’s tools of technologies arsenal.”
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3D printing is more than a tool—it’s a technology transforming the future of care. At OAM, clinicians and engineers collaborate to design personalized solutions, creating devices that empower Veterans and improve outcomes. As Dr. Ripley, Deputy Chief of Office of Healthcare Innovation and Learning (OHIL), explains, “Imagine holding your own heart. 3D printing gives a sense of security and ownership back to the patient. It opens a new world of possibilities.” This International 3D Printing Day, we honor VHA's Advanced Manufacturing and 3D printing community for their dedication to turning ideas into reality and its mission to transform lives through the power of innovation.
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