insights
As summer drew to a close and the leaves began to turn to vivid shades of orange, red, and yellow, Team Kapstone was busy exploring the most educational and inspirational stories in 3D printing, medical device, and orthopedics. We are proud to provide our season-changing September “What You Missed” articles that inspired, equipped, and guided us through the end of summer and the advent of autumn:
A 3D Printer in your school? Probably the best intercom announcement students and teachers will hear all year! Indeed, MakerBot is putting 3D Printers into schools of all types—from universities all the way down to elementary schools.
MakerBot’s CEO Jonathan Jaglom believes common 3D printers are akin to PC computers in the 1980s. Once 3D Printers are introduced into the general population, particularly schools, Jaglom believes the interest and necessity for 3D printing will grow exponentially. Statistics from 2014 show that the 3D printing products and services market grew to over $4 billion.
A new biomaterial may hold the key to creating new orthopedic materials, implants and devices that could help advance the field of orthopedics. Carnegie Mellon alumnus Stefanie Sydlik has developed a biomimetic block copolymer while working at MIT. This copolymer can be used for cartilage repair through the imitation of biochemical processes.
Researchers at MIT and Boston Children’s Hospital have developed a system that takes MRI scans of a patient’s heart, and in a matter of hours, convert them into tangible models that physicians can use to plan for surgery.
This fall, cardiac surgeons at Boston Children’s will participate in a study to further test the model’s usefulness.
A 54-year-old Spanish cancer patient has received a titanium ribcage and sternum created with a 3D printer. Diagnosed with chest wall sarcoma, part of the patient’s skeleton had to be removed to prevent tumors from spreading.
Recreating the rib cage with artificial materials is very difficult. Fortunately, 3D printing technology can heavily customize implants for individual patients.
Prevalence of spinal disorders, development of advanced spinal devices, an aging population and a demand for minimally invasive options are all driving the growth of the global spinal implant and device market, which is expected to grow at a rate of 5.6 percent from 2015 to 2020.
North America will dominate market growth, followed by Europe. The Asia-Pacific market, however, is expected to grow at the highest rate—8.2 percent.
Stay informed on the most important topics in orthopedics, medical device, and 3D printing through the rest of 2015 through our Kapstone Medical Blog and our LinkedIn Company Page!
