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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California-based medical manufacturing (or “Medifacturing”) company PrinterPrezz has signed a customer agreement with medical device company SI-BONE, Inc. to develop services for advanced 3D printed orthopedic devices and implants. The companies will leverage PrinterPrezz’s expertise in metal 3D printing, nanotechnologies and surgery to come up with next-gen medical devices. As…
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Bringing the latest 3D Printing Media Network AM Focus on Orthopedic Implants to its climax, 3dpbm hosted a new webinar focusing on the market opportunities for 3D printed implants. Market leader GE Additive and pioneering company Oxford Performance Materials presented their technological approach and business models within the context presented…
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French med tech company BIOMODEX has opened a new corporate headquarters in Quincy, Massachusetts. The new facility, which will house corporate offices and a state-of-the-art 3D printing laboratory, signals BIOMODEX’s entry into the U.S. market. Based in Paris and supported by Dassault Systèmes, BIOMODEX is an innovator in the field…
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It seems that cumbersome plaster casts could soon go the way of the dinosaurs thanks to new innovations in the medical field. 3D printing, for instance, is being increasingly exploited for the production of patient-specific casts and braces. ActivArmor, a producer of next-gen 3D printed medical devices, is taking its…
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Additively manufacturing of orthopedic implants is the topic of 3dpbm’s upcoming webinar, which is now set to take place next February 12th, at 4pm (CET) / 10 am (EST). The webinar is free to join. All you need to do to attend is register at this link and follow instructions.…
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NASA Nebraska Space Grant office provided funding to examine the development, validation, and mechanically characterization of antimicrobial 3D printed medical devices for astronauts. The objective is to test the antimicrobial properties of Copper3D’s PLACTIVE filament material on the International Space Station. “For us all this has been an exciting journey,…
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SafKan, a Tucson-based startup, has developed an innovative pair of 3D printed headphones—only they’re not for listening to music. The company, which was awarded Protolabs Cool Idea! award for its concept, has created a pair of medical headphones which can professionally clean a person’s ear in just 35 seconds. If…
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Ackuretta, a manufacturer of professional DLP 3D printing solutions, has introduced its newest 3D printer model, the FreeShape 120. Available as of today for $2,499, the new 3D printer offers an accessible yet professional desktop 3D printing solution for the dental and jewelry markets. With a build volume of 120…
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The dental applications market is now increasingly seen as a key production market for 3D printing technologies and many feel that the paradigm shift will come to completion at this year’s IDS show in Koln. Several companies are gearing up, including ceramic 3D printer manufacturer Lithoz. The Austrian company will…
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Dentsply Sirona, the largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, and Carbon, a leading Silicon Valley-based digital manufacturing company, today announced a strategic collaboration to deliver new denture materials for Carbon digital 3D printing production solutions. As Carbon’s Paul DiLaura confirmed in our recent interview, it is possible to…
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