Tag Archives: Medical Implants

The Top 5 3D Printing Innovations at LAM® 2017

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Considered by many to be one of the biggest manufacturing revolutions of this century, 3D printing has captivated and intrigued individuals in a wide spectrum of fields and industries. From the independent crafter to the leadership behind some of the biggest companies in the world, to some of the most prestigious universities, it is safe to say that the future is 3D printed.

The Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop (LAM) last month helped emphasize that point, with some of the most-talked-about presentations revolving around 3D printing innovations.

Five 3D Printing Innovations You May Have Missed at LAM 2017

1. GE Plans to Go Full Vertical by 2022, Plans Parallel Supply Chain

It is no secret that GE is investing ample time, resources, and funding into its additive manufacturing

Attendees hear about the latest AM Innovations at LAM 2017 in Houston

initiatives. The company has created additive manufacturing applications across multiple GE businesses and has earned over 300 patents in powder metals used in the additive process.

During the Accelerating the Additive Revolution keynote on Day one of LAM®, GE Additive’s Greg Morris revealed that the company plans to become fully vertical by 2022. Concerning the supply chain, Morris does not believe that the current methods will be replaced immediately. Instead, both traditional and additive manufacturing methods will exist side by side. The company is continuing its focus on being a user and developer of additive manufacturing capabilities, as demonstrated by the willingness to integrate the technology alongside existing practices.

2. OPTOMEC Debuts New LENS Machines- Making Additive Manufacturing Affordable

A challenge for many industries looking to join the 3D printing revolution is the anticipated cost of equipment. At LAM, OPTOMEC debuted a potential solution to this issue with their new LENS machines. The three new LENS systems use lasers ranging from 500W to 4kW to create 3D structures. Prices start at under $25,000; a price point that puts 3D printing capabilities into the hands of more people.

The systems are designed to help reduce the process time and cost while increasing the quality and capability for design changes- or in simpler terms, all the qualities that entice industries to explore additive manufacturing in the first place. The new systems join the existing line of LENS machines and will fill gaps in demand for low-cost additive systems, thus making the 3D revolution more accessible and affordable than ever.

3. Stryker Discusses the Future of Custom Printed Implants

“We can design anything,” Marc Esformes of Stryker, told the audience at LAM®. Stryker’s additive manufacturing efforts are revolutionizing the future for medical implants, through their focus on 3D printing to develop innovative medical devices.

Esformes discussed the potential for custom, 3D printed implants that would take a matter of weeks from 3D scan to 3D printed part. The 3D printing process allows for a more biocompatible implant, reducing the chance of rejection and infection in patients, a point of great interest for the future of Stryker’s medical additive manufacturing applications.

4. Fraunhofer Discusses Low-Cost SLM Systems

Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) lead two presentations at LAM® 2017. One of which discussed selective laser melting, an additive manufacturing process that is potentially an economical choice for 3D printing of parts.

The cost of production using SLM Systems relates less to the complexity of the part, and more about the physical volume. The systems allow for individualization, as details can be altered before the part begins production. Should the SLM process be utilized from concept to completion, the utilization could be game changing for parts manufacturing.

5. Siemens Aiming to Reduce Production Time, Using More AM Machinery, With Less Risk

Siemens has made significant waves with their adoption of additive manufacturing processes. At LAM, Ingomar Kelbessa discussed the company’s approach and plans toward increased 3D printing adoption.

In a just under two years, Siemens was able to develop an entire process chain to optimize their gas turbine blades. The system lead to a 90% reduction in lead time, through the use of 24 additive manufacturing machines. Siemens hopes that this reduced time and increased flexibility with the manufacturing of parts can lead to greater customer satisfaction and parts-on-demand.

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The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide. To learn more about LAM 2017 and the LAM Workshop by LIA, visit the official workshop website.

 

Additive Manufacturing & Applications in China

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With the Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop (LAM®) just around the corner, Lasers Today is taking a closer look at some of the topics presented at this year’s event.

LAM Applications in China: Rounding out the final session at LAM is “Progress and Medical Applications in Additive Manufacturing of Metal Parts by Selective Laser Melting” by Yongqiang Yang of South China University of Technology.

LAM 2017 brings researchers and industry leaders together to discuss advances in the world of additive manufacturing. Around the world, exciting innovations are coming to light, many of which will be discussed at this year’s event. One country that is seeing significant progress within its additive manufacturing initiatives is China.

Rounding out the final session at LAM is “Progress and Medical Applications in Additive Manufacturing of Metal Parts by Selective Laser Melting” by Yongqiang Yang of South China University of Technology. The use of additive manufacturing for medical purposes is a growing area of interest for many. While there are still significant challenges and obstacles ahead, the work performed at the South China University of Technology (SCUT), and across the nation, is notable to anyone involved with, or intrigued by, the possibilities presented by additive manufacturing within the medical field.

About Selective Laser Melting (SLM)

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is being used by researchers to 3D print medical implants. SLM is used both for coating and completely creating the implant parts. Materials used usually include platinum, nickel titanium, and in some prototypes, stainless steel. One of the biggest challenges faced by researchers and developers is the risk of infection and/or rejection of the implant within the body.

Courtesy: Open Biomedical Initiative

Additive Manufacturing in China

China’s history with additive manufacturing begins in the early 90’s, where a push for research on additive manufacturing processes, equipment, applications, as well as education began. Schools, such as SCUT, emphasize hands-on practice and application within their programs. For over two decades, universities and other higher education facilities have given students opportunities to “compete” in various design competitions, pushing innovation as part of the learning process.

In partnership with specific industries, especially the companies within them, various programs have given students the opportunity to pursue specialties and specific interests within additive manufacturing, providing relevant work experience. In doing so, additive manufacturing is now considered one of the biggest areas of market growth within China, in decades. In fact, the undergraduate programs have lead to an overall increase in the quality of programs in science, engineering, mathematics and more.

However, there is a call for more progress within the medical applications of additive manufacturing, particularly with implants and tissue engineering. The longevity of the prototypes created pose unwanted side effects, rejection, and infection risks that still stand to be solved.

A Successful Implant at South China University of Technology (SCUT)

When thinking of 3D printed implants, it is easy to assume that the applications are only for human benefit. However, this is not always the case. Last summer, SCUT in collaboration with Leader Animal Hospital and Guangzhou Yang Ming Technology Company outfitted an injured red-crowned crane with a new, 3D printed beak.

After a fight with other birds led to a severe beak injury the crane was unable to eat.. Guangzhou Yang Ming Technology Company, which specializes in designing molds for 3D printing, passed their mold design to SCUT, who printed the new beak out of titanium. Titanium has shown promise in other instances as a preferred material for implants for humans, due it its biocompatibility.

The procedure in which they attached the new beak was successful, allowing the bird to eat shortly after the process. The red-crowned crane received the first successful beak transplant in China, joining a growing list of successful 3D-printed implant procedures on birds.

These successful procedures increase the likeliness of 3D printed implants becoming a viable solution for more than just birds. Advancements within additive manufacturing, including selective laser sintering, are opening many doors for the future of the medical industry.

Be sure to catch the presentation at LAM 2017 as part of two exciting additive manufacturing application sessions. Check out the advance program for LAM here to plan your visit to this year’s event. LAM 2017 will take place February 21-22, 2017 in Houston, Texas. For more information, and to register, click here.

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The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications and laser safety worldwide.

 

 

 

 

Stryker’s Marc Esformes Discusses Future of Medical Implants at LAM 2017

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**UPDATED Speaker as of 2/1/17

In preparation for LAM® 2017, Lasers Today takes a closer look at the presenters and industry leaders at this year’s workshop.

The additive manufacturing revolution is in full swing. With more industries adopting 3D printing capabilities for their parts development, 3D printed materials are here to stay. At the 2017 Laser Additive Manufacturing Workshop (LAM®), researchers and industry leaders alike will discuss the state of additive manufacturing, as well as present ongoing developments within the various industries they serve.

Stryker Trident II Tritanium

Additive Manufacturing of Metal Implants

Presenting on Day One, during Session One: Trends in Laser Additive Manufacturing, is Marc Esformes of Stryker Corporation, discussing “Additive Manufacturing of Medical Implants.” Stryker Corporation is among the pioneering companies to use additive manufacturing technology to develop medical devices and tools, and recently announced the expansion of their 3D printing capabilities by developing a brand new, multi-million dollar facility. Their exciting new solution for spinal surgical implants has garnered ample attention, not just in the world of additive manufacturing, but in fields like orthopedics, neurosurgery and general surgery.

About Stryker Corporation

Stryker Corporation began as the medical practice of Dr. Homer Stryker. The practice was incorporated as an orthopedic frame company in 1946, before becoming Stryker Corporation following Dr. Stryker’s retirement in 1964.

In recent years, Stryker Corporation has become one of the leading companies using additive manufacturing technology to develop parts for the medical field. Unlike other industries, the parts and implants created in the medical industry must go through numerous comprehensive trials and tests for biocompatibility, long before they are used for their intended purpose.

Stryker’s Most Recent Development

This year, Stryker Corporation developed a 3D printed Tritanium (the brand name of Stryker’s alloy material, used in their powder bed laser sintering process) Posterior Lumbar Cage Spinal Implant. The implant was showcased at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Scientific Meeting.

Using virtual reality technology, the presentation showed viewers the evolution of Stryker’s manufacturing before giving a virtual tour of the Stryker facility, including a close-up look at the implant.

Expanding upon existing implant technology, and over a decade worth of research, the spinal implant is porous, and resembles bone tissue. Given its flexible, permeable state, early trials suggest that the implant may encourage natural bone growth, leading to a longer-lasting, more functional implant, that behaves like natural bone.

Don’t miss your chance to explore the latest advancements in medical additive manufacturing when Marc Esformes of Stryker Corporation presents at LAM 2017. LAM will take place February 21-22, 2017, in Houston, Texas. For more information, and to register, please visit https://www.lia.org/conferences/lam.

Don’t miss a single laser industry update! Visit Lasers Today and sign up to receive the latest in lasers delivered directly to your inbox.

The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide.

 

 

Using Direct Metal Sintering to Fight Bacteria in Implants

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Could adding antibacterial agents to the additive manufacturing process lead to safer medical implants?

Direct Metal Sintering is used to create titanium implants for dental and orthopedic use. 3D modeling allows manufacturers to determine the porosity and surface roughness of the implant for medical use. Titanium and titanium alloys are preferred in the medical field due to their biocompatibility and other properties that cause minimal disruptions within the body.

However, the rough surfaces can often lead to breeding grounds for bacteria, and by extension, biofilm in the implants. This can lead to infection or unwanted cell adhesion. These infections can cause implants to come loose or even detach. While measures are taken to prevent these infections, bacteria is still commonly present within an implant. Over time, bacterial colonization leads to the creation of a biofilm, which makes it more difficult to fight and remove the bacteria from within the implant.

To combat this, researchers determined that preventing the spread of bacteria would have to come from within the implant, or rather, with antibacterial coatings on the surface of the implant. This poses a unique challenge, as antibacterial agents used would have to be both compatible with the titanium and titanium alloys, and nontoxic to the patient receiving the implant. Utilizing a novel phase-transited lysosome, with a variable thickness, combined with three layers of negatively charged hyaluronic acid and positively charged chitosan, researchers believed they could prevent the formation of the biofilms by including these within the direct metal sintering process.

The results show that the method (phase transited lysosome-functionalized Direct Metal Laser Sintering Titanium, or PTL-DMLS-Ti)  can help prevent the early onset of bacterial presence in the implant, while still retaining its function and compatibility with the body. The findings are expected to gain interest within the medical field, with potential for additional applications in the future. Check out the full report here, for more information.

Interested in learning more about direct metal sintering and other additive manufacturing practices? Be sure to register for LAM, taking place February 21-22, in Houston, Texas. Don’t miss a single laser industry update, visit Lasers Today and sign up to receive the latest in lasers delivered directly to your inbox.

The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide.

Progress in 3D: Future of Medical Implants

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By Christian Nölke, Matthias Gieseke, Ronny Hagemann and Stefan Kaierle

Using two step laser additive manufacturing (LAM), commonly known as Selective Laser Melting, offers the opportunity to manufacture three dimensional (3D) parts. This manufacturing technique has gained a lot of attention and interest during the recent years and is of particular interest because prior computer tomography investigations allow an easy providing of the required patient individual dataset. This way offers a completely digital process chain until the required implant is produced. Manufacturing of steel and titanium implants with adapted surface structures and adapted mechanical properties is already within the scope of industrial research. Continue reading →