New Polymers Set to Revolutionize 3D Printed Implants

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Over recent months we have seen a real change in the evolution of 3D printing technology. New 3D printing systems are being introduced every week, which are now relatively affordable, more energy efficient, compact and thankfully quieter. But it is with the range of new polymers now available that offers the most exciting aspect of 3D printing technology development. We are now leaving behind the traditional ABS and PLA which we have become so used to, fond of and somewhat bored with. However, with innovative new materials this is all about to change.

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UCF, Stratasys Create Life-Changing Prosthetic Arm

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University of Central Florida (UCF) engineering students have developed a robotic arm for 6-year-old Alex Pring, using a Dimension Elite 3D Printer by Stratasys.

Born without his right arm, Pring always dreamed of climbing trees or shaking hands. His dreams came true thanks to UCF engineering students who designed and 3D printed a functional prosthetic arm. Aerospace engineering Ph.D. student and Fulbright Scholar Albert Manero is a volunteer at E-Nable, a network of 3D Printing enthusiast’s whose goal is to develop 3D Printed prosthetic hands for those in need.

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Artificial Retina May Help Restore Vision

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The loss of eyesight, often caused by retinal degeneration, is a life-altering health issue for many people, especially as they age. But a new development toward a prosthetic retina could help counter conditions that result from problems with this crucial part of the eye. Scientists published their research on a new device, which they tested on tissue from laboratory animals, in the ACS journal Nano Letters.

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Man’s Livelihood Restored by EU’s Approval of 3D Printed Cranial Implant

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Though, in the past, traditional manufacturing has been used to create custom implants, 3D printing has a far greater capacity for making complex and elaborate shapes, without the need for manual work performed by surgeons in the midst of a procedure. 3D printing, then, can save time and money during the production of personal implants.  Combined with the benefits of tailoring custom implants to the exact specifications of an individual’s anatomy using medical scans, 3D printing stands to revolutionize the medical industry.  In August of this year, manufacturer of high-performance biocompatible 3D printing materials Oxford Performance Materials was able to gain FDA approval for its 3D printed facial implants.  Now, on the other side of the world, the EU has passed their own approval of 3D printed cranial implants.

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Making personalized blood vessels from a patient’s blood sample

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Just three years ago, a patient at Sahlgrenska University Hospital received a blood vessel transplant grown from her own stem cells.

Suchitra Sumitran-Holgersson, Professor of Transplantation Biology at Sahlgrenska Academy, and Michael Olausson, Surgeon/Medical Director of the Transplant Center and Professor at Sahlgrenska Academy, came up with the idea, planned and carried out the procedure.

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Initial Six Teams to Compete for New Organ Liver Prize

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New Organ, a collective initiative for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, announced today the initial six teams competing for the New Organ Liver Prize, a global prize competition sponsored by the Methuselah Foundation, a biomedical charity. The prize challenge will award $1,000,000 to the first team that creates a regenerative or bioengineered solution that enables a large animal to live 90 days without native liver function.

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Launch of new high-performance polymer-based trauma device technology for internal fracture fixation

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Trauma plates with 50x greater fatigue resistance compared to metal offer new treatment options and significant cost-saving potential for healthcare providers

Tampa (USA) & Thornton Cleveleys (UK), October 13, 2014 – Trauma plates composed of a high performance polymer provide patients at risk of complications with a greater window for healing compared to metallic plates. The new trauma device technology is based on a composite called “PEEK-OPTIMA Ultra Reinforced polymer”. It delivers similar mechanical strength to metallic plates, with 50x greater fatigue resistance. Invibio® Biomaterial Solutions (“Invibio”), a world-leading solutions provider of PEEK polymer-based biomaterials, manufacturing and R&D for medical device manufacturers, will present details and host a panel discussion of its Invibio Trauma Device Technology at the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) meeting in Tampa next week.

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Oreo the Dog Running Again Thanks to His 3D Printed Kneecap

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Every dog has its day, and Oreo is one dog with some good days going for him.

Oreo is a Canadian dog living a pretty good life… well, now he is. A little more than three years ago, the pup dislocated his left hind knee cap (patella). That’s a pretty painful condition to be in, and the injury was bad enough that the patella was surgically removed. That solved one problem — a patella can’t be dislocated if it isn’t there at all — but created a new one as Oreo then walked with a limp that would never go away.

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