Medical Additive Manufacturing
The medical sector, which encompasses dental, is today one of the largest adopters of 3D printing technologies for the production of consumer-targeted items, including prosthetics, implants, dental replacements and physical models.
Though the focus of much media coverage, the use of 3D printing technologies extends well beyond 3D printed implants. Surgical guides and pre-surgical models are widespread, so much so that they can, in a way, be compared to the broad adoption of AM for prototyping and tooling in the industrial manufacturing arena. Leading AM hardware manufacturers, such as 3D Systems, EnvisionTEC, EOS and SLM Solutions, along with service providers like Materialise, are investing heavily to develop both medical and dental AM applications.
While the benefits of AM technologies for personalized medicine and more efficient surgical practices are well documented, several hurdles still exist that are limiting a more widespread adoption of these key technologies in hospitals and medical practices. Several of these hurdles are inherent to AM technologies and related material availability, however, the biggest challenges result from a general lack of awareness and skepticism, resulting in a slow pace of adoption.
Today, significant strides are being taken—mainly in the private segment—toward the development of advanced polymers, metals and ceramics fit for implantation in humans. The private dental segment is going through a full-size boom in the adoption of AM technologies and processes. With this month’s Industry Focus we hone in on the latest advancements and take a look at the upcoming opportunities for medical and dental AM.
Latest Medical and Dental AM news:
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is something of a mysterious disease. The demyelinating condition affects more than two million people around the globe—often with debilitating symptoms—yet has no known cure and the cause of the disease is still unknown. Recent research advances, including an effort from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)…
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In Santiago of Chile, Copper3D Inc., the company that develops antimicrobial materials for 3D printing, has partnered with Toylisto, an online platform to turn 2D drawings into 3D printable designs called “Art Toys”. Combining these two technologies, Copper3D and ToyListo developed these antimicrobial 3D printed toys, in a beautiful project…
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The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and the American College of Radiology (ACR) have announced they will be launching a new medical 3D printing clinical data registry in order to collect 3D printing data at the point of clinical care. The registry is expected to launch as a pilot…
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Indiana-based medical device manufacturer Nexxt Spine has announced that its NEXXT MATRIXX Stand Alone Cervical System has been approved by the FDA, receiving FDA 510(k) clearance. The spinal solution is a stand-alone anterior cervical interbody fusion system manufactured using GE Additive’s Mlab 100R metal 3D printer. Made from titanium, the…
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Materialise is making a strategic investment in Engimplan, a Brazil-based manufacturer of orthopedic and cranio-maxillofacial (CMF) implants and instruments. The combination of Materialise’s expertise in 3D printed medical solutions with Engimplan’s innovative product portfolio will help to accelerate the introduction of 3D printed, personalized implants and instruments in the Brazilian…
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Italian 3D printing company DWS recently wrapped up its Open Factory Week event at its headquarters in Thiene. The event, which took place over the course of five days, was packed with conferences and meetings and enabled the stereolithography 3D printer manufacturer to showcase the potential of its technology in…
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Scientists at ETH Zurich and the South African company Strait Access Technologies (SAT) are using 3D printing to produce custom-made artificial silicone heart valves. This could help meet an aging population’s growing demand for replacement heart valves. The human heart has four chambers, each equipped with a valve to ensure blood…
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UK-based medical 3D printing company axial3D has secured $3 million through a recent funding round led by London-based Imprimatur Capital Fund Management. The investment will enable axial3D to accelerate the development and adoption of its automated 3D printing solution for the medical sector, which promises to advance the standards and…
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In the world of prototyping, Italy-based 3ntr has proven its worth, demonstrating time and time again that its 3D printing solutions offer the speed, precision and reliability needed to prototype viable products. The company’s 3D printers have even proven capable in one of the most demanding fields around—healthcare—through a recent…
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A series of recently approved codes by the American Medical Association (AMA) will help to push the adoption and use of 3D printing for clinical applications and healthcare. The new codes—consisting of four current procedural terminology (CPT) category III reimbursement codes, came into effect on July 1. In the medical…
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