Apparently the basic technique was examined in the '50s: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6770227 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6770227 However, IIR

Apparently the basic technique was examined in the '50s: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6770227 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6770227 However, IIRC, Tal's version is based on one that is custom-built to fit the patient, and of course uses more advanced materials.