China's first 3D-printed human implant, artificial hip joint, has got approval to register by the State Food and Drug Administration recently, which means that it is allowed to mass production, Science and Technology Daily reports on Tuesday.

Co-developed by Peking University Third Hospital and AK Medical, which is China's largest manufacturer of artificial joints, the product is also the world's first 3D-printed artificial hip joint which is permitted to be registered after passing clinical operation.

Professor Liu Zhong Jun, director of Orthopaedics with Peking University Third Hospital, said it will break the monopoly of foreign products in high-end market and significantly reduce the price after being put into mass production. It is also a landmark to promote the development of the whole 3D printing industry.

Since June of 2016, a total of 32 patients have received operation of 3D-printed artificial hip joint.