Vancouver General Hospital to 3D Print Custom Splints On Site

How the new workflow works

Vancouver General Hospital is rolling out on-site 3D printed splints in partnership with B.C.-based PolyUnity. The digital workflow starts with standard clinician measurements. PolyUnity handles the design, fabrication, and regulatory responsibility, so the clinical team does not need to learn CAD software or operate a printer themselves.

Traditional custom splints take up to two hours to produce. The 3D printed version requires roughly 30 minutes of clinician time. The hospital says that efficiency gain frees up staff for direct patient care rather than manual fabrication work.

Why now

British Columbia's Health Ministry described the rollout as the first of its kind in North America. The province plans to expand the technology to other facilities as it tries to reduce reliance on international suppliers for custom medical devices.

PolyUnity CEO Jacqueline Lee said demand for custom splinting has outpaced what clinics can produce with traditional methods. The new system does not replace the clinician's role; it removes the bottleneck between measurement and finished device.

What it means for patients

A custom splint that used to require a wait time and a hands-on fabrication session now comes together in half an hour. The fit is based on the patient's own anatomy rather than adjusting a pre-made stock size. Health Minister Ravi Kahlon said the program will expand to communities across the province, though no specific timeline was given.