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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A team from the University of Lincoln in the UK are developing the first toddler-sized myoelectric prosthetic. The medical device, called SIMPA (Soft-Grasp Infant Myoelectric Prosthetic Arm), is made using 3D printing, which allows for dramatic cost reductions. Myoelectric prostheses, which use sensors and muscle-stimulation to perform various hand functions,…
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LimaCorporate, an Italy-based multinational specializing in orthopedics, has today announced the launch of a new Research & Innovation Center (R&I Center) and an Advanced Laboratory for Testing and Analysis (ATLAs). The new facilities, based at LimaCorporate’s headquarters in Udine, Italy, will be dedicated entirely to 3D printing and advanced testing…
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued approval for patient-specific airway stents made with 3D printing. The custom stents, which are used to help patients with breathing disorders, were developed by Dr. Tom Gildea, a physician at the Cleveland Clinic. The recently approved stents can now be widely…
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A group of scientists has achieved a significant milestone in the development of a 3D printed and implantable artificial ovary, which could enable infertile women to become pregnant. For the first time ever, the team has identified and mapped structural proteins within a pig ovary, which will facilitate the development…
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FossiLabs, LLC, a startup company focused on engineering porous bone-like structures in polyether ether ketone (PEEK), launched the first-ever fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printed ‘fully’ porous PEEK bone- like structures within implantable devices. FossiLabs novel offering now makes it possible to 3D print solid or defined porous structures anywhere…
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3D printing is touted in the footwear industry for creating opportunities for customization. As demonstrated in the story below, custom shoes go beyond picking your preferred color palette and style: they can actually offer better comfort and support to wearers that need it. Imre Patterson is a young boy living…
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Every year, a curated selection of young innovators from across research and industry are highlighted in the prestigious “Innovators Under 35 List” published by the MIT Technology Review. The list, which traditionally comprises the top 35 under 35 innovators, recognizes people who are conducting work that has the potential to…
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3D Bioprinting Solutions and the P. A. Hertsen Moscow Oncology Research Center conducted a unique experiment on implant in-situ bioprinting to replace skin defects. The experiment was carried out in-situ – that is, “on the spot” – on live rats during an operation in the laboratory of preclinical studies of…
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GE Healthcare and Formlabs have entered into a partnership to increase the accessibility of 3D printed, patient-specific anatomical models. In the medical sector, patient-specific models based on medical imaging data have multiple uses, from practitioner training to surgical preparation to patient communications. Through the collaboration, GE Healthcare and Formlabs will…
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Smart International, under license from Eastman Kodak Company, has announced it will be supporting e-NABLE Medellin’s effort in Colombia by providing 3D printing hardware, materials and technical support. e-NABLE Medellin, a Colombian branch of the global e-NABLE organization which aims to provide free prosthetic hands to those in need, will…
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