Tal Golesworthy, an engineer from London, England had been scored his name in the history of the medical world. It started from a dilemma when he should selecting two deadly choice, Tal using his foresight as an engineer to give a new treatment alternatives.
As reported by Independent, on Wednesday, November 9, 2016, Tal was first sentenced to suffer from Marfan syndrome at the age of approximately 6 years. He inherit this condition from his father. People with Marfan syndrome typically have a slender bone, with an unusual height, as well as some joint problems and eye.
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| Tal Golesworthy credits his invention as the only thing keeping him alive for the past decade. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1g3FnT) |
In addition to the visible effects from the outside, Marfan syndrome also causes the body can not produce the fibrillin protein perfectly. This protein is responsible for the flexibility of the body's tissues and blood vessels.
Regarding the blood vessels are not flexible. The aortic conditions are most dangerous. If a normal person, aorta will stretch or shrink as usual, but in patients with Marfan syndrome, the aorta will only stretch and did not return to its original state. Tal is already aware of his conditions, of the examination which he did in 2000, a team of doctors who examined him advised to surgery immediately to prevent the dangerous expansion of the aortic root.
At that time, Tal Golesworthy given two surgical options. The first option, Tal was offered to replace the enlarged aorta and also replace the heart valve with an artificial valve. The first option has a very large percentage of success. But after that the patient must regularly consume the anticoagulation drug on the rest of their life.
The second option is similar to the first option, but the cardiac valve is not replaced. The second way is more effective and does not require the anticoagulation drug consumption. However, it has a small percentage of success. Knowing these two choices are difficult, Tal chose refused the surgery.
In the dilemma between does not want to bear the terrible effects of the operation and did not want to give up, Tal then came up with the proposal of an engineer. According to Tal why should replace the existing components if they can be supported by a more simple tool.
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| The aortic wrapping sleeve called Personelaized External Aortic Root Support (PEARS) invented by Tal Golesworthy aims to halt the dangerous expansion of the aortic root. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1g3Hhf) |
As quoted from 3D Printing Industry on Tuesday, November 15, 2016, Tal came up with the most effective solution. Tal tried to create a special wrapping sleeve so the dangerous expansion of the aortic root can be prevented but does not reduce the function of the aorta.
The first, Tal's heart is scanned and printed with a 3D printer. From the heart models, then he designed an aortic wrapping sleeve that conforms to the shape of the aortic root. These aortic wrapping sleeve is then called by Personelaized External Aortic Root Support (PEARS).
Tal Golesworthy not a doctor or the medical activists. He needs a team of doctors to verify this new invented tool. It took almost four years to convince a team of doctors and perfecting the ideas. To improve the idea, Tal has done more than 30 hours to use the MRI scans to ensure compatibility between the aortic wrapping sleeve and the aorta itself.
In 2004, Tal became the first to attempt his discovery techniques. And his surgery was successful, and since then the threat of aortic dilation and heart failure in theory could have been avoided.
Until now reported only one patient was died, but the cause of death was not associated with the heart disease. In fact, the patients who died five years after the operation was uncover new facts. Of the autopsy report stated that the aortic wrapping tool still attached in good condition. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | 3D PRINTING INDUSTRY | INDEPENDENT]
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