Ala Ortho (Italy) Ala Ortho has launched the first range of orthopedic implants in series production using rapid manufacturing technology. Arcam's EBM S12 machine is used to make such products as Fixa Ti-Por (TM), an acetabular cup with integrated network structure for improved bone in-growth.

CenPRA (Centro de Pesquisas Renato Archer) (Brazil) The Promed project for fast prototyping in medicine was created in August, 2001 with the objective of using graphical computation and prototyping in planning complex surgeries. The method is used in non-critical orthopedic, bucomaxillofacial and cranial reconstruction cases. Such procedures reduce the time and the costs of the operation, minimize the discomfort and speed up the recovery of the patient. (in Portuguese)

ComputerGen Implants Ltd. (UK) Dr. Ninian S. Peckitt, Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Director. This extraordinarily deep UK site has numerous case histories and tutorial information for physicians and patients. The company has developed a number of proprietary techniques, some of which have been patented.

Brazilian Maxillofacial Surgeons Save Face For Patients An article dated Sept., 2000 from the Digital CAD web site. A terrible wound on the patient's face from an accident and a subsequent bone infection from a botched surgery was corrected by Dr. Cesar Oleskovicz, a maxillofacial surgeon who specializes in bone implants at the Center for Maxillofacial Rehabilitation ORIS (Brasilia, Brazil).

Titanium Bone Implants. University of Texas principal investigator Nicole Harlan, in cooperation with several university departments and Howmet Corp., produced titanium castings using the selective laser sintering process to improve the fit, function and durability of implants.

Plastic, Life-Size Models Improve Hip Replacement Surgery The Whitaker Foundation has funded Douglas Robertson's research at Washington University School of Medicine which combines computerized tomography (CT), computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), and rapid prototyping to create life-size, physical models of the hip socket. This has proven to be more accurate and also a way to avoid a failed procedure in which the replacement socket is not properly sized for the patient, or which eventually wears out.

Stereolithography and Prosthetic Test Socket Manufacture: A Cost/Benefit Analysis Authors: Donald Freeman , Leslie Wontorcik. From: Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, 1998. This paper is a little old, but illustrates one of the problems RP has had in the medical area in the US, at least. It's more expensive, so until clear patient benefits are demonstrated, insurers may be reluctant to pay for procedures.

Prosthesis Design and Construction Independent Life Tecnologies, an Italian medical organization, describes and compares conventional and digital technologies for prosthesis design.

Customized design of biomedical parts Author: John Martin. From: Mechanical Engineering Magazine July, 1997. This is a case study of how Zimmer, Inc., a manufacturer of orthopedic implants is adopting a digital product-development process to manage the many configurations of implants that can be customized for individual patients. The article illustrates that the company can produce ten times more configurations leading to better patient fit.

Nonresorbable Bone Implants via LOM This site describes work done at University of Dayton, Rapid Prototype Development Laboratory from 1996 to 1998. The goal was to use ceramic tapes of Hydroxyapatite /phosphate glass with the LOM process to fabricate bone implants.

University of Dundee (UK) Their main work is directed towards the design of hearing implants and prostheses, and instrumentation for ear surgery. This is an excellent demonstration of RP applied to very small bones.

NASA - High Pressure and Temperature Fused Deposition System Rapid prototyping for producing functional polymer matrix composition components and ceramics. Appications include biomedical prostheses. Prime contractor Advanced Ceramics Research has set up a service bureau to provide access to the process. Additional Info.

Northwestern University This is a web site for the Prosthetics Research Laboratory and Rehabilitation Engineering Research Program that describes alternative socket fabrication techniques. The Squirt Shape system utilizes FDM technology. Several QuickTime movies are available on the site.

Medical Image Based, Personalised Implants and Surgical Aids, Manufactured by Rapid Prototyping This is a European Commonwealth program proposal with the goal to develop industrial scale surface modification of materials used in extra corporeal circuitry to enhance haemocompatibility, and reduce negative impact on the patient.

RP4Baghdad An initiative founded by organizations both within and outside the RP industry to help the wounded in Iraq. After one year of operation the project has supported the successful treatment of more than 45 civilians suffering from severe injuries to the head and face. In addition to aiding in these complex reconstructive surgeries, RP is now being used to produce leg prosthetics. Industry members include: Materialise, 3D Systems, Stratasys, Z Corporation, EOS GmbH, 3Construction, Medical Modeling, REALADI and Bio Systems.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center The 3D Medical Applications Center combines computer technology and 3D model fabrication with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to produce tools that improve medical efficiency and patient outcomes. The primary focus is 3D anatomical models in support of the surgical process. These models offer numerous benefits to surgeons and patients, including: more rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, as well as reduced operating room time.

Therics, LLC Using the 3DP method to fabricate implants for bone and other tissues.

Université de Technologie de Compiègne (France) Dr. Farid Taha's extensive pages discuss orthopedic surgery of the jaw and related anatomical areas. [This site is mostly in French.]