Custom 3D printed models improve precision of oral cancer surgery
Custom 3D printed models tailored to individual patients are helping surgeons remove oral cancers with greater precision, according to new research from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James). In 92 percent of head and neck surgeries that used a 3D model during the operation, complete tumor removal was achieved, compared to 74 percent of surgeries performed without one. Researchers report that this approach allows for more accurate excision of malignant tissue while preserving healthy structures, potentially reducing the need for follow-up treatment.
3D printed flooring marks progress for carbon-negative concrete Research & Education
A team of researchers from the Polyhedral Structures Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania has unveiled a new flooring installation that demonstrates how 3D printing and cutting-edge design can be combined to create structures that significantly reduce concrete consumption and, consequently, the carbon footprint of construction. The project, called “3D-Printed Dual-Banded High-Performance Concrete Floor”, is led by Dr. Masoud Akbarzadeh, Associate Professor of Architecture and director of the Polyhedral Structures Laboratory (PSL).
3D Systems Secures FDA Clearance to Broaden Adolescent Use of VSP Orthopedics Platform
US-based 3D printer manufacturer 3D Systems has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance broadening the approved use of its VSP Orthopedics virtual surgical planning and patient-specific instrumentation platform. The clearance now covers skeletally mature adolescents with normal bone structure, in addition to adult patients. This change removes previous regulatory constraints that limited use in adolescent cases and formally brings these procedures within the platform’s labeled indications.
3D Printed Biodegradable Scaffolds Offer Potential for Improved Heart Bypass Grafts
Researchers at the U.S. private research universities Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts and Northwestern University in Illinois have developed a method for producing small, biodegradable tubular scaffolds using 3D printing. The scaffolds feature microscopic grooves and channels designed to guide cell growth, with the goal of supporting the regeneration of functional blood vessels.
CurifyLabs Brings Personalized, Flavored 3D Printed Medications to Pets
CurifyLabs, a company developing 3D printing technology for compounded medications, has launched CuraBlend Vet, a veterinary excipient system designed to produce 3D printed, palatable, and personalized medications for pets. Developed for use with the CurifyLabs Compounding System Solution (CSS), CuraBlend Vet aims to enhance quality, safety, and consistency in veterinary drug compounding.
Qase3D and Waveland introduce MDR Management System
Qase3D, a company focused on regulatory compliance and quality systems for medical 3D printing operations, has partnered with Waveland European Lawyers to introduce an MDR Management System for hospital-based Point-of-Care (PoC) 3D printing labs. The system addresses compliance with the European Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for facilities producing custom-made medical devices, including anatomical models, surgical guides, and patient-specific implants used in clinical settings.
ARPA-H Launches THEA Program to Advance Whole Eye Transplantation
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has announced award recipients under its Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts (THEA) program. With funding of up to $125 million, the initiative aims to develop the first complete human eye transplantation procedure, targeting restoration of vision for people who are blind or visually impaired.
RadioMatrix: Stratasys Expands Access to Patient-Specific Radiopaque 3D Printing for Medical Imaging
3D printer OEM Stratasys has announced that its RadioMatrix radiopaque 3D printing material is now fully commercially available in the United States. Previously deployed in limited settings, the material can now be widely used by healthcare providers, medical device manufacturers, and research institutions for advanced medical imaging, education, and training purposes.
