News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
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.
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 applications.
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.
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 of an ink for bioprinting the important reproductive organ for humans.
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 within the 3D space. Prior to this development, all other product offerings have only had surface porosity or windows within defined layers. The only viable alternative for 3D printing implantable, medical-grade PEEK is via SLS technology (EOS), with significantly higher costs.
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.
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 the P.A. Herzen MORC.
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.
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 use Smart International’s KODAK Portrait 3D printer to reach its goal of donating up to 35 prosthetics and assistive devices before the end of the year.
A 3D printed bionic hand can be made to measure thanks to engineers at WMG, University of Warwick and a collaboration of other companies. The 3D printed IMPACT bionic hand incorporates muscle sensors to control an articulated thumb, enabling it to function similar to a human hand. It can be made to measure in 10 hours in a choice of colors.