PrinterPrezz, specialising in 3D printing and nanotechnology for medical applications, is entering into a collaboration with Osseus Fusion Systems, a medical company focused on the development of implants for spondylodesis.
The companies have been working together since late 2018 to develop the next-generation Aries implants. These implants are aimed at various surgical procedures, including Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF), Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) and lumbar fusions. The parties hope to register the new implants with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the end of 2019.
Porous material
Osseus' Aries implants feature a mesh structure and 'optimised micro-surface topography'. The material is 80% porous, which, among other things, helps make the implants less prominent on medical images. This design also encourages bone growth in and through the implants, which helps the implant become part of the human body faster.
PrinterPrezz describes itself as a 'medifacturing' company that combines medical innovation with advanced design and manufacturing capabilities. The company supports customers at every stage of the innovation lifecycle, from early design to high-volume production. Among other things, PrinterPrezz helps clients with rapid prototyping by offering the possibility of 3D printing prototypes of medical products. As a result, the client has the prototype available earlier and can test the design earlier, enabling further design refinement faster. PrinterPrezz also allows customers to produce prototypes on the same equipment used to produce the product in large runs at a later stage.
'Advancing developments'
"Together, Osseus and PrinterPrezz focus on deploying the latest additive manufacturing technologies to advance developments in spondylodesis. A combination of biocompatible materials, innovative design and the latest 3D metal printing technology enables healthcare professionals and technicians to develop porous titanium implants with advanced geometry and create grids that enhance surgical ergonomics to reduce surgery time and minimise soft tissue damage," explained Dr Alan Dang, orthopaedic surgeon and Chief Medical Officer at PrinterPrezz.
Eric Hansen, CEO of Osseus, points out that the next-generation Aries implants for spondylodesis feature optimised grids to stimulate bone growth on and through the implants. Partnering with PrinterPrezz gives Osseus designers access to advanced design and manufacturing facilities. The ability to print prototypes directly on site using various 3D printing techniques allows the company to experiment with new structures and grids more quickly.
Reduce development time and costs
Shri Shetty, CEO of PrinterPrezz, calls companies like Osseus innovators in the spinal implants market. "Research and development costs, timelines and complexity around applications are the biggest challenges for mid-sized innovators. By partnering with such companies, PrinterPrezz helps reduce the time and costs involved in developing new products and facilitate efficient and timely 510(k) submissions (ed: a submission to the FDA to demonstrate that a device works safely and effectively). We look forward to collaborating in the design and manufacturing of future innovations for spine surgery through our partnership with Osseus."
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Source: PrinterPrezz
Source: Osseus Fusion Systems
