Orthopedic medical device giant Stryker (Stryker) now uses metal3D printingTechnology produces orthopedic implants. Products include: total knee implants, acetabular cups, and spinal implants.Since 2000, Stryker has been involved in metal products in product development.3D printingTechnology.But from product development to company certification3D printingIt can be used as a kind of implant production technology, Stryker has gone through a long process, for example, Stryker only started to do it around 20133D printingProduction of artificial joint components.During this period, not only the product development department is required to3D printingThe performance and quality consistency of implants are strictly tested, and the logistics department and production department need to make adjustments in order to introduce the additive manufacturing process into production.
Stryker has a deep accumulation of technology and medical resources in the field of orthopedic implant manufacturing, and research and development with such abundant resources3D printingImplants need to be accumulated and developed, so for small orthopedic device manufacturers or start-ups, how to develop3D printingOrthopedic implants and introducing additive manufacturing processes into production?Robert Cohen, Vice President of Global R&D and Chief Technology Officer of Stryker, and Lewis Mullen, Senior Manager of Advanced Technology Group3D printingThe research and development process of orthopedic implant products was shared, and suggestions were given to companies on how to build competitiveness in additive manufacturing.These shares are for the hope to develop3D printingManufacturers of implants have certain reference value.
From R&D to production, freezing three feet, not a day’s cold
Stryker uses constituency laser melting in new factory in Ireland3D printingThe equipment produces artificial acetabular cups and artificial knee joint components.
Picture: Stryker’s3D printingImplant, source: Stryker.
Metal3D printingTitanium alloy parts have a surface pore structure that is conducive to osseointegration, which is important for the adhesion of cementless artificial joints. also, 3D printingTechnology also brings unprecedented design freedom to implant design.However, even with these significant advantages, Stryker still needs time to verify3D printingTechnology can meet the quality requirements of implants.about3D printingFor the issue of implant quality consistency, Robert Cohen, Vice President of Global R&D and Chief Technology Officer of Stryker, gave an example. For example, when printing 10 implants at the same time in one printing process, they are placed on the build plate in the same orientation, but the quality of these implants still has the possibility of inconsistency. This is due to the implants Some materials may not be completely consolidated during the printing process.To this end, Stryker has carried out a series of tests and design iterations, including tests on the mechanical properties of the products, and tests on the long-term performance of implant materials.
Even if metal3D printingImplants have been verified by the R&D department to produce high-quality implant products. However, if this technology is to be integrated into the existing product production system as a production technology, Stryker still needs to face many things. Challenges, both its logistics department and production department need to make adjustments and adaptations.In addition to this department, in the face of these new additive manufacturing implant products, the quality inspection department also needs to form a supporting inspection program.Metal3D printingTechnology can produce very complex shapes, but these complex shapes are difficult to be measured. Stryker’s quality inspection department uses laser inspection technology for inspection and uses micro-CT equipment to detect3D printingThe internal structure of the implant is tested.
After years of research and development and exploration, Stryker finally developed the proprietary AMagine additive manufacturing technology. Many of its implant products are equipped with the technology produced3D printingComponents, such as: in the total knee implant Triathlon Tritanium, the innovative tibial base plate and metal dorsal patella component are designed through AMagine additive manufacturing technology and SOMA.
Stryker is in3D printingMany stages of implant design, manufacturing, and quality control have accumulated their own know-how.In the video, Robert Cohen, Vice President of Global R&D and Chief Technology Officer, combined Stryker’s3D printingDuring the research and development process of implant products, I shared some suggestions to hope to introduce3D printingTechnology small orthopedic implant manufacturing company.Stryker has a wealth of accumulation and resources in the field of orthopedic medical devices, and these accumulations can be used for them to carry out3D printingRefer to product-related decisions. For emerging orthopedic manufacturing companies, they can still accumulate their own metal products through cooperation with additive manufacturing equipment companies, metal powder material suppliers, and software companies.3D printingKnow-how of implant manufacturing. Before investing a lot of money in manufacturing, simulation technology can be used to make predictions, thereby reducing risks. In addition, it can also establish cooperative relations with universities and scientific research institutions, and jointly participate in expert scientific research projects.
(Editor in charge: admin)
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