21st Century Necromancer

3D printing is no longer a novelty, and since its inception, it has found very broad applications. The shadow of 3D printing can be seen across all industries, whether in construction, industry, or even medical, where there are examples of its application.

Even using 3D printing to replace the spine isn't something new; Chen Yu had heard as early as 2016 that a orthopedic surgeon at the Imperial Capital's Third Hospital used 3D printing technology to print multiple segments of thoracolumbar vertebrae, completed a 19-centimeter-long span of support on a patient's spine to replace completely removed vertebral bodies, completing the world's first surgery of implanting a 3D-printed artificial spine.

Therefore, using this technology to replace removed vertebral bodies and using it in surgery poses no problem.

What left Chen Yu feeling helpless and troubled was that after asking around, he found that Tokyo had no enterprise capable of such 3D printing. If a surgery like this were to be conducted, the implanted supports would still have to be ordered from within the country, which made him feel proud but somewhat speechless. Explore stories at My Virtual Library Empire

These bone-replacement implants designed for insertion into the human body are not something one can simply manufacture at will. Although 3D printing technology offers advantages unmatched by traditional methodologies, being able to customize any complex structure, many details such as structural strength, material quality, and printing precision are not so easily solved.

Moreover, this sort of spinal support isn't simply about printing something that looks like a spine and inserting it; one must consider various reactions that may occur after implantation in the patient, as well as whether it will affect their range of motion, among many other factors.

Considering bone fusion, these implants can't be made with a solid structure; they must have a sponge-like porous structure. This allows the bone cells from the normal vertebrae to grow into it, eventually achieving bone integration.

Even if the corresponding printing technology is available, designing an implantable body that can replace the spine isn't an easy task. Without technical support from professional doctors, a 3D printing company alone doesn't have the research and development strength for this.

Fortunately, with the help of his third aunt, who has some contacts and relationships with the Imperial Capital's Third Hospital, Chen Yu was able to send the relevant information there. The other party responded positively, agreeing to provide the support segments, which finally put his mind at ease.

Through this incident, Xu Xiaohong managed to owe a favor to Eastern University Affiliated Hospital, not too big or small. It also provided a timely and reasonable opportunity to mention the possibility of academic cooperation between Eastern University Affiliated Hospital and the University of Tokyo Medical School.

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"Professor Chen, are you suggesting that the hospital engages in academic cooperation with the medical university you mentioned?" Inside the Director's office, Shimura Maru crossed her hands on the desk, looking at Chen Yu standing before her, contemplating his proposal.

"After all, it's my alma mater, and since the president has asked, I had to come and implore you," Chen Yu said somewhat apologetically to Shimura Maru. After all, he was asking for a favor, and it wouldn't do to act arrogantly—it would just offend people and possibly spoil what could have been accomplished.

Shimura Maru did not find anything wrong with Chen Yu's suggestion. Academic cooperation with other schools was a common practice for a large university hospital like Eastern University Affiliated Hospital.

Previously, most collaborations were with domestic institutions, and while there were also international collaborations, they were usually with famous institutions that already had academic exchanges with the University of Tokyo.

Engaging in such academic cooperation with an unremarkable foreign institution was somewhat new for Eastern University Affiliated Hospital, which required Shimura Maru to be extra careful in consideration.

"Professor Chen, what's your view on this?" Shimura Maru lowered her crossed hands and leaned back in her chair, looking at Chen Yu, eager to hear his perspective.

Seeing Shimura Maru asking for his opinion didn't surprise Chen Yu, and after a moment of thought, he replied, "Regarding this matter, I do think some cooperation could be initiated."

"Oh? Why do you say so, Professor Chen? Is it because it's your alma mater?" Shimura Maru looked at Chen Yu with a somewhat playful expression, not revealing any particular emotion.

Chen Yu didn't mind Shimura Maru's question and laughed it off, nodding as he said, "Partly because of that reason. After all, it's where I graduated from, and naturally, I have affection for it. But apart from that, collaborating with the school wouldn't be bad for the hospital, would it?

Over the years, the hospital's ranking in the national comprehensive hospital rankings has been slipping, and the former director resigned because of it. Didn't you come to take the director's position because of this too?

Improving the overall strength of the hospital involves many aspects. Enhancing medical standards and hospital conditions is not an overnight task. Rare case studies are also hard to come by. If we want to raise the hospital's reputation and influence, wouldn't partnering with medical schools in other countries, thus extending our reach, be one way to go about it?"

"That is one approach indeed," Shimura Maru agreed with Chen Yu's words.

Boosting the hospital's comprehensive ranking is not something that can happen overnight, especially when the hospitals ahead of Eastern University Affiliated Hospital are formidable competitors.

To outdo them, besides enhancing medical standards, improving conditions, and boosting hard power, fostering collaborations like this with overseas medical schools to enhance the hospital's comprehensive influence is also a good strategy.

Nevertheless, Shimura Maru held a different opinion and asked Chen Yu, "But if we aim to enhance the hospital's influence, wouldn't it be better to cooperate with famous institutions? Why partner with a lesser-known school?"

"What's better than bringing coals in the snow?" Chen Yu smiled, aware that he had half-convinced Shimura Maru, who seemed interested. If he could persuade her to make a decision, the deal was as good as done. He continued, "Collaborating with prestigious schools would indeed boost influence, but famous schools don't have much desire to collaborate with hospitals.

After all, even if their teaching level and overall strength aren't quite up to the University of Tokyo Medical School, the gap isn't significant. It's like the hospital's domestic partnerships with other institutions. Although there are famous schools, the most lectures professors give are still at ordinary schools, right?

Director, consider this: If other ordinary schools in different countries learn that a rather average medical school has started academic exchanges and cooperation with Eastern University Affiliated Hospital, wouldn't they be tempted? If the hospital shows some achievements in this area, wouldn't that enhance the hospital's international influence?

And wouldn't turning Eastern University Affiliated Hospital into an internationally renowned medical talent cradle be a great accomplishment?"