Prosthetic hands, rubber heart models: Researchers develop undreamed-of uses for 3-D printing

From rubber heart models that guide surgeries at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center to prosthetic hands produced by an Omaha researcher, three-dimensional printing for medical purposes is exploding.

The technology is popping up in numerous ways in the region, benefiting education, practice and treatment. Among the highest aims for 3-D printing is the creation of human organs, which remains a long way from reality.