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3D printing of cardiac structures: A case of frugal innovation in the health sector

Abstract:

The people at the base of the pyramid have been a population historically excluded by the traditional models of health services, since they are people with low purchasing power. In search of greater social inclusion, academics, entrepreneurs and large corporations begin to explore a new way of offering products and services, known as frugal innovation, where inventive capacity and good knowledge of customers or users, make products, services, Processes and business models offer affordability with high added value, under conditions of scarce resources. The article presents as a case study the process of 3D printing of cardiac structures from segmented tomographic images. The conclusion is that using a 3D RepRap linear delta type printer allows obtaining a physical version of sections of the heart to aid in the diagnosis of diseases, becoming an option that adapts to the health affordability needs they require developing countries.