News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Aleph Objects, the manufacturer of LulzBot open source 3D printers, has confirmed its entry into the 3D bioprinting market. In partnership with Massachusetts based 3D bioprinting technology developer FluidForm, Aleph plans to launch LulzBot Bio hardware later this year.
California-based medical 3D printing service bureau PrinterPrezz has partnered with UCSF Surgical Innovations, an incubator-accelerator for medtech innovators at UC San Francisco.
Belgian 3D printing software company Materialise has received FDA approval for Mimics Enlight, a 3D modeling software for planning cardiovascular surgery.
Global medical device company LimaCorporate has confirmed that it has started construction of its forthcoming on-site 3D printing facility at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York. First confirmed in January this year, the partners held a ground breaking ceremony at the site at the end of May. Building works are scheduled for completion by 2020, and the center itself is expected to be in operation early in the same year.
The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux (CHU de Bordeaux) has become one of the first hospitals in the world to add a Stratasys J750 to its facilities. Used by the surgical team at CHU de Bordeaux’s Department of Urology and Kidney Transplantation the system is being applied to fabricate full color, detailed organ models.
Belgian software and 3D printing service provider Materialise has acquired a 75 percent stake in Engimplan, a Brazil-based medical device manufacturer. In this agreement, Materialise will apply its medical 3D printing expertise to Engimplan’s device portfolio. Together, the two companies will work to accelerate the introduction of 3D printed medical implants and instruments to the Brazilian market.
3D-printed orthodontics have come a long way in the past three years, and Carbon and Candid’s new partnership to produce models for clear aligners that straighten teeth is grist for this mill. Carbon’s L1 printers and DLS process allow Candid to introduce Candid Pro, its “orthodontics-as-a-service” doctor-driven clear aligner therapy. This service offers customized, on-demand clear aligners designed specifically for dental and orthodontic practices. The entire service is delivered on Candid’s digital platform.
3D Systems significantly expanded its focus on regenerative medicine and bioprinting solutions after reducing its workforce to concentrate on the healthcare AM sector. The expanded focus follows on great progress made in the development of 3D printing systems for solid-organ scaffolds. This progress is the product of collaboration between 3D Systems, United Therapeutics Corporation and UTC’s organ manufacturing and transplantation-focused subsidiary, Lung Biotechnology PBC. 3D Systems intends to leverage this work and accomplishments with other partners to invest, further develop and commercialize solutions for regenerative medicine. Applications of its R&D program include the development of non-solid organ applications requiring biologically sustainable vasculature.
Thrive Orthopedics, a distribution enterprise founded in 2017, debuted its very own product line with 3D-printed orthoses called the Balance 3D+ Brace, an ankle foot orthoses (AFO). The brace reduces postural sway and increases postural stability. This relative newcomer to the AM scene has created an orthotic that lines the sole of one’s foot while also bracing the heel and calf for additional support. The company prides itself on the elegance and aesthetically pleasing look of its product. It also projects product prices in line with industry standards.
Lincotek Additive has taken another step in its development program by increasing its production capacity to meet customer demand. The company is adding further EOS M400-4 additive machines in its brand new, state-of-the-art Additive Production Center for the aerospace and industrial sectors in Switzerland and obtained EN9100:2018 certification for its quality management system.