Innovation in respiratory therapy and the use of three-dimensional printing for tracheostomy management

Technological advances have influenced practice patterns and innovation in many health disciplines, including respiratory therapy. Collaborative approaches and knowledge-sharing environments are vital in addressing problems and adopting emerging technology. This article illustrates how the emergence of low-cost three-dimensional printing technology to physically reproduce the results of computed tomography imaging data can provide ways to assess airway abnormalities and symptomology not explained by traditional diagnostic methods.