www.3ders.org

Mar 11, 2016 | By Kira

To further drive opportunities and advancements in the field of medical 3D printing, 3D Systems has this week opened a 70,000 sq ft state-of-the-art facility in Littleton, Colorado, equipped with a full portfolio of precision healthcare and medical 3D printing solutions, including 3D surgical training simulators, 3D medical imaging, and multiple floors dedicated to 3D printing anatomical models, metal 3D printed devices, implants, prosthetics and more.

3D Systems has proven to be a dedicated pioneer in the field of 3D medical solutions. Its products include 3D Medical Modeling, which spearheaded the use of 3D printing patient-specific anatomical models for surgical planning and practice; and LayerWise, which utilizes 3D System’s Direct Metal Printing to 3D print metallic implants and instruments used in orthopedic, spinal and dental applications.

These technologies and many others will be featured at the new state-of-the-art facility. In fact, several manufacturing floors are dedicated entirely to 3D printing medical devices and pioneering new ones, using every form 3D printing technology on hand, from direct metal to SLA, ColorJet, and MultiJet 3D printing. The Healthcare Technology Center also features an innovative 'simulation experience center', showcasing 3D Systems’ Simbionix line of 3D training simulators. Visitors will be able to experience first-hand the advantages that 3D imaging provides to surgeons, allowing them to explore patient-specific cases, test new devices, or even practice complex procedures without putting the patient at risk.

These 3D medical solutions have already been used to save countless lives. One in particular is Blessing Makwera, a young man from Zimbabwe who received facial reconstruction surgery made possible by 3D Systems’ Virtual Surgical Planning and 3D printing technology. Makwera was among the many guests, including state officials, medical professionals, and additive manufacturing experts, in attendance at the Healthcare Technology Center’s ribbon-cutting ceremony:

"Today is an important day in medicine," he said. "My story illustrates how life changing this technology can be, and I am overjoyed to think of the many lives that will be impacted and improved by the capabilities made possible here."

Also present at the ceremony was Dr. Oren Tepper, Director of Craniofacial Surgery at the Montefiore Medical Center. “Awareness and access have been the biggest hurdles to adopting 3D technology in healthcare,” said Dr. Tepper, who has frequently used medical 3D printing solutions for facial reconstructions and cosmetic surgery.  "This facility will be a tremendous asset to the healthcare community in developing and proving precise methodologies for some of medicine's most trying cases."

3D Systems’ Healthcare Technology Center, which will serve as its global healthcare hub, is ISO 13485 certified for healthcare solutions and operates in compliance with the FDA and MDD regulations for applicable medical devices, ranging from low risk models to instruments and implants to highest risk devices. This means that, working closely with medical practitioners and manufactures, 3D Systems will be able to utilize the full power of 3D printing to save lives, improve patient outcome, and improve the state of healthcare today.

"Our new Healthcare Technology Center answers the growing need of the medical community for innovative and adaptive tools designed to provide better insights, better processes and better outcomes," said Kevin McAlea, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Healthcare, 3D Systems. "Our extensive and growing offering of precision healthcare and medical 3D printing solutions provide the means and skills for medical and dental professionals to overcome today's challenges and advance the future of care."

Among all of the important and industry-changing applications of 3D printing technology, medical 3D solutions are perhaps the most immediately significant and worthy of development. By opening this facility, 3D Systems is further proving is commitment to this field. "From the first printed part, I knew 3D printing had the potential to impact lives," said Chuck Hull, 3D Systems’ Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, "but I never imagined the revolutionary ways in which this technology would enhance healthcare and improve the quality of life for so many."

 

 

Posted in 3D Printer Company

 

 

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