3D Systems, a global leader in additive manufacturing (AM), has announced a major breakthrough. In partnership with University Hospital Basel in Switzerland, the company has helped design and produce the world’s first Medical Device Regulation (MDR)-compliant 3D-printed facial implant made from PEEK (polyether ether ketone).
The implant was created by Professor Florian Thieringer, Dr. Neha Sharma, and their team of biomedical engineers. Using 3D Systems’ technology and manufacturing expertise, they developed a custom implant tailored to a patient’s specific needs. This implant was successfully implanted during surgery at University Hospital Basel in March this year.
The implant was produced using VESTAKEEP i4 3DF PEEK, a material from Evonik, on 3D Systems’ EXT 220 MED printer. This printer is designed specifically to create patient-specific medical devices directly at the point of care, inside the hospital.
Professor Thieringer commented, “Our goal is always to give the best care to our patients. By designing and making implants right here in the hospital, we can create treatments that fit each patient perfectly. This also helps us respond faster and improve surgery results. Being able to produce implants on demand marks a new era in personalized healthcare.”
Stefan Leonhardt, director of medical devices at 3D Systems, said, “The quick adoption of the EXT 220 MED by top healthcare centers shows how 3D printing is transforming clinical care. We are proud to work with innovative teams like those at University Hospital Basel and other leading hospitals worldwide. Together, we are expanding the uses of additive manufacturing in medicine.”
Since the launch of the EXT 220 MED in August 2023, it has been used in over 80 successful cranial implant surgeries. The recent success with maxillofacial implants highlights the company’s commitment to advancing personalized healthcare through ongoing innovation.
