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How medical device companies use AM for production today part 1: Stryker additive manufacturing Medical

Welcome to this month’s AM Focus Medical. For the entire month of February, we are going to zoom in on the many possibilities that additive manufacturing is offering today to medical companies. This segment of AM is literally booming and incredibly exciting. In this first episode, we are taking a closer look at Stryker additive manufacturing activities. Upcoming episodes will include many different types of players in this segment, ranging from highly innovative startups to giant multinational corporations. Stay tuned because it’s going to be a lot to take in. But don’t worry, at the end of the month all the best content will be featured in 3dpbm’s Medical AM Focus 2020 eBook.

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Renishaw, nTopology and IMR streamline 3D printed spinal implant production Medical

Though not broadly adopted yet, 3D printed spinal implants have the potential to change the landscape for spine-related surgeries, as they can be customized to fit the patient’s anatomy perfectly—unlike more commonly used off-the-shelf implants. However, a number of challenges still stand in the way of the broad implementation of the bespoke 3D printed implants, largely related to cost, complexity of process and standards.

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Additive Orthopaedics takes step ahead with FDA-approved 3D printed locking lattice plates Medical

Additive Orthopaedics, a New Jersey-based producer of next-gen orthopaedic devices for the foot and ankle, has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Patient Specific 3D Printed Locking Lattice Plates. The recently approved 3D printed device is designated for the alignment, stabilization and fusion of fractures, osteotomies and arthrodesis of the foot, ankle or other small bones.

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3D printed titanium spinal cages beat PEEK cages in new animal study Medical

Stryker’s Spine division today announced the publication of a pre-clinical animal study comparing the performance of spinal implants made from a variety of materials, which illustrated the bone ingrowth and biological fixation capabilities of its 3D-printed Tritanium cages. The study, titled “Bony Ingrowth Potential of 3D Printed Porous Titanium Alloy: A Direct Comparison of Interbody Cage Materials in an In Vivo Ovine Lumbar Fusion Model,” was published in the July issue of The Spine Journal.