Based in Santpedor, Barcelona, AVINENT provides digital health solutions for hospitals and clinics, offering personalized implants and surgical guides for reconstructive surgery, orthognathic surgery, neurosurgery, as well as reproduction of body parts, such as the spinal column.

The accuracy and realism of 3D printed models are crucial for medical practitioners. They need to mimic a patient’s anatomy and offer a clear visual representation of the affected area, so that surgeons can provide an accurate prognosis and identify the best course of treatment. To meet this requirement, AVINENT has adopted a full color, multi-material 3D printer. The Stratasys J750 3D printer enables the company to produce high-resolution, multi-material, color models of a patient’s anatomy simply not possible with other 3D printing technologies.

“In the past, we’ve tried several 3D printers, but we’ve been limited when requiring complex models that necessitate different textures, materials and colors,” explains Albert Giralt, CEO of AVINENT. “The J750 is a big step forward for us. We’re now able to produce patient-specific models of exceptional realism, which will make the surgeon’s job much easier and ultimately improve patient care. The fact that we can now 3D print models using several different materials, textures and colors – all in a single print – means we can also drastically reduce cost and lead times during production.”

Despite only making the technology investment recently, AVINENT is seeing quantifiable benefits. For example, the company is now producing transparent 3D printed models of jaws that permit hospitals to show the localization of nerves. The team also recently 3D printed an advanced transparent heart model with injected colors, using multiple materials and textures, which enabled the surgeon to outline a carcinoma growing in the affected organ.

AVINENT is also leveraging the J750 3D printer to produce a range of models for dental practitioners. 3D printing models combining hard and soft materials has increased the company’s ability to address more complex requests from customers. For example, AVINENT can create the effect of gum using flexible materials, while mimicking the mandible or maxilla with nerves and teeth using more rigid materials.

Giralt continues: “The new 3D printer will quickly take us to the next level of digital dentistry. Indeed, we can already rapidly produce dental models with unrivalled realism, enabling dental practitioners to better visualize their patient’s mouth and teeth, and find the most effective solution to the specific problem. This is what medical professionals’ value, aiding pre-surgery simulations while improving the chances of success and overall patient care. The range of possibilities on the J750 are infinite, and its diverse applications will continue to grow.”

Stratasys
www.stratasys.com