3D Systems & NIH Partner to Advance the Integration of 3D Printing with Healthcare

When it comes to 3D printing, the healthcare industry will see some of the most substantial benefits from this incredible technology.  In the last two years alone, the number of breakthrough medical related applications involving 3D printing has been staggering, and we are only in the top of the first inning of an extra inning ballgame.

One of the biggest stories within the healthcare/3D printing space last year was the launching of the 3D Print Exchange by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The exchange was launched in an effort to advance the availability of 3D printable, scientific, health related models to the world. The exchange allows for just about anyone with an internet connection to use their interactive website in order to search, download, share, model, or print out 3D models ranging from viruses to the human heart.

One company which clearly understands the huge potential that 3D modeling and printing present to the medical community is 3D Systems. The company, led by CEO Avi Reichental has been gobbling up healthcare related firms in an effort to boost their presence within the medical modelling and 3D printing space.

Today, 3D Systems, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, has announced a partnership to advance medical innovations through the use of 3D printing. Whether it’s been the acquisition of Simbionix, the company behind a 3D virtual reality surgical simulation platform, the purchase of Medical Modeling Inc. back in April, or one of the numerous other smaller healthcare related firms that they have scooped up recently, 3D Systems is clearly serious about their healthcare aspirations.

“As the leading American 3D printing company, 3DS is committed to working with the federal government to enhance the delivery of U.S. healthcare and drive innovation for novel therapies while reducing overall healthcare costs,” said Kevin McAlea, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Healthcare, 3DS. “This event offers an important opportunity for us to explore common R&D interests and capabilities across multiple technologies—from 3D medical modeling, training and simulation to 3D printing of personalized medical instruments, implants and surgical guides.”

3D Systems will play a major role in this year’s 2015 Science in 3D Festival, which is organized by a branch of the NIH called the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The company will be on hand to talk about 3D printing, 3D visualization and 3D simulation. They will also be showcasing state-of-the-art 3D healthcare technology to those in attendance. The event will take place on January 20-21 at the NIAID Fishers Lane Conference Center in Rockville, Maryland, where 3D Systems’ executives will be presenting the following conference sessions:

• 3D Printing – Reshaping Healthcare in the 21st Century, Andy Christensen, Vice President, Personalized Surgery & Medical Devices, 3DS – January 20, 1:00 – 1:30 p.m. EST
• 3D Scanning and 3D Printing: Using the Body to Design for the Body, Scott Summit, Senior Director, Functional Design, 3DS – January 20, 1:45 – 2:00 p.m. EST
• A Dress Rehearsal for Surgery, Ran Bronstein, Vice President, Chief Research and Operation Officer for Simbionix Products, 3DS – January 21, 10:00 – 10:15 a.m. EST

For those who can not make it to Maryland for the two-day event, the National Institutes of Health will be broadcasting the events online here: Day 1 – Day 2

There’s no doubt that the technology involved in this partnerhship will continue to expand, as new applications are presented over the coming weeks, months and years ahead. Will you be attending the 2015 Science in 3D Festival? Discuss in the 3D Systems/NIH forum thread on 3DPB.com.