3D-printed skull implant gives 7-year-old his life back

❝“No parent wanted the responsibly of a child without a skull,” Ward said.

An innovative surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, though, has turned his life around. Last month, the first-grader received a 3D-printed skull implant that fits perfectly with his existing skull bone structure. The implant is no ordinary plastic — it’s made from a material called PolyEtherEtherKetone (PEEK), which has roughly the same physical properties as a real skull. 

The surgery was successful and Teddy is now back to being an active kid.❞

Tags: Really Nifty Cool Stuff + kids + science coolness