Covering All Technology and Application Areas of Additive Fabrication Including:
RAPID PROTOTYPING 3D PRINTING RAPID TOOLING RAPID MANUFACTURING

Medical / Dental

From Update 59 - 6/9/09 to 9/8/09:

In Technology Holdings LLC has received a patent for hydrodynamic multi-focal contact lenses made by jetted photopolymer or other additive techniques. The lenses are said to compensate for both near and far vision defects. A chamber within the lens is filled with liquid that migrates under slight pressure from the eyelid to change focal length. See Fig. 7.
The University of Wolverhampton (UK) has applied for a patent on a biomechanical probe which may be used to retrieve blood clots from a patient's circulatory system. Three dimensional printing is key to making the probe tip features, consisting of spiral grooves which provide a vortex to vacuum the clot in. See Fig. 8.
Syntach AG (Switzerland) describes a surgical method and custom devices for treating disorders of the heart rhythm regulation system in its patent application. Numerous small incisions are made which result in essentially rewiring the atrial cells to provide better electrical response. The instrument is inserted through a catheter and may be fabricated to accommodate the specific condition of the patient.
The use of polymers rather than ceramics to fabricate dental restorations is the subject of a patent application by CAO Group, Inc. The thermoplastic/thermoset prosthetics described are said to offer the advantages of being able to fabricate multiple teeth at one time, being less prone to cracking and chipping while providing same-day, in-office service.

From Update 58 - 3/10/09 to 6/9/09:

Inventor William Nordquist has been granted a patent for an implantable brace to treat a fracture of a horse's leg. The fracture is scanned, bone is removed and a custom implant device inserted which may be made by additive fabrication.
Complex hydraulic skeletons for medical devices can be manufactured by three dimensional printing and other additive techniques, which simulate the outward pressure and tone of living tissue according to a patent application by Mady Attila. Devices made that incorporate such features may include endotracheal tube cuffs, endoscopic devices and the like. This allows better mating to, and less fatigue of, the contacted tissue of the patient as well as fine static control of surface geometries and device movement. See Fig. 8.

From Update 57 - 12/9/08 to 3/10/09:

Famed inventor Robert Jarvik has been granted a patent for a minimally invasive ventricular assist device. The tiny prosthetic pump precisely fits entirely within the heart within the space of one of the three leaflets of a heart valve. Manufacturing the device starts with three dimensional scanning of the patient's physiology, followed by additive fabrication. See Fig. 6.
Cochlear Limited (Australia) is the assignee for a patent application describing a hermetically-sealed cochlear implant. Complicated electronics are located within a curved shell produced by selective laser melting (SLM) or other processes. See Fig. 7.
Stereolithography is used to make a precursor for contact lenses in two patent applications from Johnson & Johnson. While most applications can be covered by injection molding, specialized or custom lenses are said to be made more economically using this method.
Embryonic-like stem cells derived from teeth may be used for self-renewal of a patient's teeth according to a patent application from Stiftung Caesar (Germany). Scaffolds are generated using additive fabrication into which is incorporated tissue isolated from a dental follicle or wisdom tooth.

From Update 56 - 9/10/08 to 12/9/08:

Conformis Inc. has applied for several additional patents on its arthroplasty surgery system. Custom implants are often used in arthroplasty, but the company combines that benefit with a suite of surgical tools customized for each patient. The method is claimed to increase the speed accuracy and simplicity of the surgery.
L-VAD Technology, Inc. has applied for a patent on an aortic blood pump implant. The assist device is said to be useful for patients that have some remaining myocardial function, and in some cases is an alternative to a transplant. See Fig. 6.
DeguDent GmbH (Germany) has applied for two patents on improved materials and finishing for dental prosthetics. Plasma polishing is utilized to obtain the desired surface finish with no need for additional work. The technique might be useful for finishing other objects or parts made by additive processes, as well.
A non-magnetic cobalt-palladium dental alloy is the subject of a patent application by Arun Prasad and Paul Cascone. The material may be used as a powder in laser sintering or laser melting and offers good dental properties while avoiding potential problems with NMR and other scanning devices, and also some security scanning systems.

From Update 55 - 6/10/08 to 9/10/08:

One novel implant that appeared this period is an endobronchial fluid exhaler for aiding conditions such as emphysema. These patients have great difficulty exhaling. The implant stores energy by using a small fan to wind up a spring as the patient inhales, and gives the energy back, spinning the fan in the opposite direction, when the patient exhales. See Fig. 7.
Micro-electrodes made using additively fabricated molds are the subject of a patent application by Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum vzw (Belgium). The devices are said to be able to restore partial- or full-functionality to nerve conduction by bridging a cavity in the central or peripheral nervous system.

From Update 54 - 3/4/08 to 6/10/08:

Charite-Universitat - Smedizin Berlin (Germany) has applied for a patent on a life-size model of a child's skull that provides a reference for a target shape to surgically correct premature cranial suture synostosis. In this condition, the shape of a child's skull fails to develop normally. The models are made as a guide to the surgeon using statistical averages from a large population of children.
A complex, multi-layer device for nerve regeneration is described by inventors Carmichael and Fox in their recently-published patent application. The device is a tiny conduit for guiding nerves to reconnect through a gap. See Fig. 7.
A catheter balloon-like device for delivery of biologically active substances is described in a patent application this period. The expandable portion of the device has substantial reservoirs on its surface for placing therapeutic agents in contact with an internal body passageway or cavity. See Fig. 8.
Extracted teeth are scanned and exact replacements generated by additive fabrication in two patent applications assigned to Natural Dental Implants GmbH (Germany).

From Update 53 - 12/4/07 to 3/4/08:

Inventor James Conti has received a patent for a method of producing replicas of such internal organs as coronary artery bifurcations, aneurysms and the like, which respond realistically to applied pressures. Such devices may be used for testing and demonstration. They’re cast from additively-fabricated molds using a “lost-candy” procedure (yes, candy). Molding cores of a sugar-based composition are coated with polymer, and in final steps dissolved away.
Searete LLC is the assignee for two applications that describe customized contour bedding or other patient support devices which could aid in the prevention of conditions such as bed sores and ulcers. See Fig. 8.
Why bother with contact lenses when you can modify the refractive properties of the eye permanently by stereolithography? The procedure is the subject of a patent application by Satish Herekar. Localized modification of the cornea can be performed using the stiffening and shrinkage properties of a photopolymer to reshape the eyeball. The photopolymer in this case is riboflavin also known as vitamin B2. See Fig. 9.
A new procedure for dermal filling and other plastic surgery operations is described in a patent application by Nathaniel David. A negative mold is made by additive fabrication for the desired outside contour of an area to be filled. This is maintained in external contact with the patient during filling and setting/gelling procedures.

From Update 52 - 9/4/07 to 12/4/07:

CAD and rapid prototyping are used to create a mold to make a hydrogel-based prosthetic device which may be used to modify facial aesthetics according to a patent application by Nathaniel David. Previous plastic surgery applications of rapid prototyping have appeared, but this may be the first specifically aimed at modifying facial features.
Glaxo Group (UK) has applied for a patent on a method of predicting where inhaled medicines are deposited in the lungs. Realistic throat geometries are fabricated using data from an MRI and an additive fabrication method such as FDM. The setup enables accurate experimental data to be gathered. See Fig. 8.
An interesting variation on additive fabrication of pharmaceutical dosage forms is presented in a published patent application by Aprecia Pharmaceutical Co. Batch codes, surface markings and textures, and internal features to guard against counterfeiting are proposed. See Fig. 9.
A mold made by additive fabrication is used to cast a Nitinol shape-memory device for insertion into the heart according to a patent application by Edwards Lifesciences Corp. The unit is deployed between the mitral valve leaflets and prevents regurgitation through that valve. The device is made in two pieces that are inserted individually, the first being an anchor for mounting it and the second the valve device itself. See Fig. 10.

From Update 51 - 6/6/07 to 9/4/07:

Novartis AG (Switzerland) has received a patent for making contact lenses using stereolithography. Also covered is ordering such custom devices over a network.
Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC has applied for a patent on mechanical scaffold trusses that unfold within a vessel to provide mechanical support or modification of fluid flow through a vessel. The device is magnetically actuated after being emplaced and may incorporate bioactive substances. One interesting possibility is to incorporate a trap door which can release substances or devices on command after emplacement like a micro-Trojan Horse. See Fig. 8.
Respironics, Inc. has applied for a patent on a mandibular advancement device made by additive fabrication. The plastic device fits in a patient's mouth to keep airways open and is meant to treat such conditions as sleep apnea and snoring. If it works well, a cure for snoring is bound to get prodigious publicity. See Fig. 9.

From Update 50 - 3/6/07 to 6/6/07:

Cranial Technologies, Inc. has applied for a patent on a process of automatic selection of trim lines for the data defining a cranial remodeling device. These patient-specific devices can be made by additive fabrication and are designed to treat head deformities in infants.
Inventor Christopher Flaherty has had his patent application published which describes the fabrication of implanted electrode arrays. These complex structures may be used to control artificial limbs and other neurologically-complex functions. See Fig. 4.

From Update 49 - 12/5/06 to 3/6/07:

A patent assigned to The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research describes the use of additive fabrication to make spinal cord surgical implants with complex structures that encourage axon growth. The scaffolds are potentially of use in bridging a severed spinal cord or nerve and can also be configured to deliver drugs. See Fig. 7.
A mannequin for practicing surgical procedures has been invented by a group of Japanese inventors. Portions of the mannequin that are operated upon closely simulate the mechanical feel of real bone and organs. See Fig. 8.

From Update 48 - 9/5/06 to 12/5/06:

The University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc. has had a patent application published for a frameless stereotactic guidance device. This custom-made frame is used to position a patient during surgery and other medical procedures and is said to improve accuracy and comfort for the patient. See Fig. 8.
A device to maintain open airways and combat sleep disorders may be made by rapid prototyping according to a patent application by Prospex Medical II, Inc. Many medical conditions may require a customized device made by additive fabrication. See Fig. 9.

Great Lakes Orthodontics, Ltd. has been granted a patent for an orthodontic bracket and bonding method that incorporates a light emitting diode (LED) that can be used to cure the bracket's bonding adhesive in place. The method is said to overcome problems of variability associated with current clinical methods and to provide fast, consistent and stronger bonding. See Fig. 10.