A cyclist who suffered serious facial injuries after being knocked down in the street by a drunk driver is one of the first patients to benefit from the UK's unique National Health Service (NHS) body part printing centre.
Bristol's 3D Medical Centre covers the entire south-west of England, and is believed to be the first in the UK to have and enable 3D imaging and printing in one space.
It also provides scientific and technical support to trauma patients through state-of-the-art digital technology and specialist reconstructive expertise.
Cyclist Dave Richards also felt the magic of the Center, which helped him "feel much more comfortable" in his own skin, the Briton said after the accident.
In July 2021, Richards was cycling in the village of Meer, in the county of Somerset in southwest England, with two friends when they were hit by a drink driver.
"He approached us from behind, and he was talking on the phone."
"He hit two of my friends who suffered multiple fractures," said the 75-year-old from Devon.
"Unfortunately, I was trapped under the vehicle, and I suffered severe burns to parts of my body and face, as well as bruised ribs on my right side."
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After multiple reconstructive surgeries at a hospital in Bristol and numerous rehabilitations, Dave began to return his life to normal.
He continues to visit the 3D Medical Centre in Bristol where he recently had a facial prosthesis.
A large orbital prosthesis and splints for neck scars were made thanks to the technology of this center.
Richards also has access to 3D scanning to digitally capture the face and develop a replica of it, and then design molds for these prosthetics.
"Most of the time, people don't notice it, or they don't say anything, or they accept me for who I am."
"I've had to live with this for four years. Most of this is in my head," Dave told the BBC.
"If I really want to socialize, I feel much more comfortable in my own skin when I look in the mirror and look reasonable."
Bristol's 3D Medical Center opened in April.
The centre brings together a new science and technology service in one space and is one of the first National Health Service (NHS) hospitals to receive a PEEK printer that makes custom-made objects at temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius.
The scanner can digitally map an individual's body while they sit in a specially designed planning room that is sophisticated enough to scan babies in motion.
The center, among other things, uses a 3D model of a damaged kidney that shows surgeons not only the area that needs to be removed, but also the veins and blood vessels that need to be avoided.
It is believed to be the first in the UK to have all of this in one space.
Most of the equipment was funded by Southmead Hospital Charity, the official charity of the North Bristol NHS Trust.
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