Dear AuntMinnie Member,
The inaugural 3DHeals conference wrapped up last week in San Francisco, with sessions covering the waterfront on all aspects of 3D printing in healthcare. From clinical issues to legal concerns, the meeting provided a comprehensive look at the growing impact of this fascinating field.
Fortunately, AuntMinnie.com International Editor Eric Barnes was there to file reports for our Advanced Visualization Community. He found a market segment that has enormous potential, but that also has myriad pitfalls for the unprepared.
For example, there are a number of unexplored legal issues regarding 3D printing in healthcare. Who is responsible if a 3D-printed implant goes bad -- the healthcare provider, the 3D printer manufacturer, or the software developer? And what about patents? Learn more about these questions by clicking here.
Are you an entrepreneur with an idea for a better 3D-printed mousetrap? Then check out this article with tips on the best way to position and pitch your product -- from someone who's seen it all.
Get these stories and more coverage of the exciting discipline of 3D printing in our Advanced Visualization Community, at av.auntminnie.com.
MRI of brain age
In our MRI Community today, you'll find our coverage of a fascinating new study that calculates an individual's "brain age" by using a machine-learning algorithm in conjunction with an MRI technique that measures brain volume.
It's not just an academic exercise. Researchers believe that if a person's brain age varies considerably from their chronological age, it could be a sign that they are at risk of future neurological disorders such as dementia. Learn more by clicking here, or visit our MRI Community at mri.auntminnie.com.
MedPAC still targets imaging
Finally, there's new evidence that the influential Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) still has medical imaging in its sights, despite the recent slowdown in Medicare imaging utilization. At a recent meeting, MedPAC analysts presented data that they said indicated that imaging services rank high on a list of low-value services that contribute to overspending in the Medicare system. Learn more by clicking here, or visit our Imaging Leaders Community at leaders.auntminnie.com.
