A team from USC has developed MRI coils manufactured using 3D printing and silver ink. Their cost is around $30, a figure that contrasts with the up to $50,000 for traditional coils. Being flexible, they adapt better to the body and improve image sharpness. This opens the door to more precise and accessible diagnoses, especially for children or in rural areas with limited resources.
Printing with silver ink and flexibility for better diagnoses 🧲
The technical key lies in the conductive silver ink and the flexible design. Traditional coils are rigid and expensive to produce, but these are printed on thin plastic with silver circuits. By adapting to the patient's shape, the MRI signal is captured with greater precision, reducing image artifacts. The manufacturing process is fast and low-cost, allowing for the production of spare parts or custom designs without relying on expensive hospital supply chains.
The day an MRI costs less than dinner for four ☕
For $30, anyone could now have an MRI coil at home, even though the rest of the machine still costs as much as an apartment. The irony is that the most expensive component of the system is no longer the coil, but the coffee the technician drinks while waiting. If the hospital saves $49,970 per piece, maybe they can also afford to replace the coffee machine in the waiting room. Medical progress and workplace comfort, all in one.