3D Systems  (NYSE:DDD) announced that it acquired Medical Modeling Inc., a leading provider of personalized surgical treatments and patient specific medical devices, including virtual surgical planning and clinical transfer tools, using 3D modeling and printing that is rapidly changing how reconstructive surgery is done today. The company expects this acquisition to be immediately accretive to its net income.

Based in Golden, Colorado, Medical Modeling pioneered the field of 3D printing-centric personalized surgery and patient-specific medical device solutions with FDA-cleared manufacturing processes and world-class expertise, providing help on tens of thousands of patient cases for surgical planning tools, implants and other design services. 3DS also announced today that it plans to consolidate all of its healthcare activities into a single unit under the leadership of former Medical Modeling President, Andy Christensen, who was named 3DS’ Vice President, Personalized Surgery and Medical Devices.

“We are thrilled to become part of 3DS,” said Andy Christensen, President, Medical Modeling.  “We already use most of 3DS’ leading professional design-to-manufacturing tools including its Geomagic® Freeform® modeling software and haptic tools and advanced manufacturing Stereolithography and ColorJet Printing professional-grade 3D printers,” continued Christensen. “Working with surgeons around the world on tens of thousands of patient cases gives us a unique perspective on surgical planning opportunities that, together with 3DS technology platform and resources, could accelerate our global growth and enhance overall patient outcomes.”

Medical Modeling delivers Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP®), a service-based approach to personalized surgery that combines expertise in medical imaging, surgical simulation and additive manufacturing. This allows surgeons access to the most up-to-date toolbox for today’s most challenging head and neck surgical procedures. VSP combines a detailed virtual surgical plan with custom-engineered instrumentation to ensure surgical success. Patented and clinically tested technology is available to aid surgeries ranging from trauma reconstruction of the facial skeleton to guidance of fibula-free grafts to more routine orthognathic surgeries.

Dr. Oren Tepper, at the Montefiore Medical Center, used Medical Modeling’s VSP to perform a surgery on a small child who would normally have to wait 6 years until she was big enough for the operation. When she was born, Jayla Varga’s jaw was no bigger than her mother’s thumb, so small it pushed her tongue against her throat, preventing her from breathing or swallowing properly.

“The combination of our rapidly growing healthcare business with Medical Modeling’s expanding range of products and services creates the largest 3D printing based personalized surgery and patient specific medical device service capabilities available today,” said Avi Reichental, 3DS President and CEO. “By leveraging our collective expertise, technologies and channels under the capable leadership of Andy Christensen, we plan to deliver an expanding range of direct metal and plastic medical devices designed to address this rapidly expanding opportunity.”

3D Systemswww.3dsystems.com