[pdxgene]

I agree with the skeptical comments leveled here, and am certainly cognizant of the (mostly necessary) regulatory overhead that goes along with the creation of medical devices.

Everything is on a spectrum, though, and there are plenty of opportunities for genuine disruption. The e-nable project that's putting prosthetic hands within financial reach (ugh, sorry, no pun intended) by bringing costs down via 3D-print-at-home is pretty impressive.

From a long-view-technology perspective, I can foresee a day when the "replication room" -- that makes parts and supplies on demand using additive manufacturing -- is as common to hospitals as the copy room. That would certainly bring down costs.