There are a number of 3D printed prosthetic and orthotic manufacturers out there, but one that has always stood out is Create Orthotics and Prosthetics (Create O&P). The Lake Placid, New York-based company has made headlines for creating the first-ever medical grade 3D printed prosthetic arm for an earthquake survivor in Haiti, as well as for being an early pioneer of customizable 3D printed prosthetic leg covers. Now Create O&P has delivered another first – and it’s a big one.
Create O&P is launching the world’s first fully integrated medical grade 3D printing system specifically for orthotic and prosthetic devices. The system brings prosthetic and orthotic printing right into the clinic, enabling practitioners to design and 3D print a variety of devices on their own, rather than ordering them from the company. It currently allows for the printing of eight types of devices, including flexible inner sockets, diagnostic sockets, leg covers, arms, fingers, wrist braces, and partial hands, as well as medical models.
“We are excited to introduce an easy-to-use 3D printing system that is medical-grade and empowers clinicians to provide the latest in care options to their patients,” said Create O&P CEO Jeff Erenstone, CPO. “I’ve been using this system in my three clinics for the past year and have made my patients very happy with customized devices that fit well and look really great.”
The printer works with Create O&P’s proprietary Flexy Fit Prosthetics filament, which is used to create lightweight, durable and flexible devices, along with the company’s rigid filament options. Flexy Fit material is included in the clinician package along with the printer, 3D model slicing software, a scanner, and proprietary designs and design services from Create O&P.
“Clinicians can design some devices, such as diagnostic sockets or flexible inner sockets, on their own using CAD/CAM, or use Create O&P’s design services to design and code custom devices for their patients,” said Erenstone. “Our system cuts about 50% of the time that a clinician typically spends fabricating a similar device. While the print may take several hours or up to a day, the hands-on component of lab time is drastically reduced. It really is plug and play, and we will be there to get you up and running.”
If the clinician chooses to utilize Create O&P’s design service, the service will create a 3D model based on the provided specifications and then send it back to the clinician to print. According to Create O&P, the cost of a prosthetic device 3D printed with their new system is about 65% less costly than a device produced through a central fabrication facility. That’s particularly impressive considering that 3D printed prosthetics are already significantly cheaper than devices produced through traditional methods.
Over the course of the next year, Create O&P plans to introduce additional devices that clinicians can print with the new system.
“We have a few exciting surprises up our sleeve, and we are really looking forward to further increasing practitioners’ capabilities,” said Erenstone.
Create O&P will be at the AOPA (American Orthotic Prosthetic Association) 2016 National Assembly in Boston this weekend. The conference is taking place from September 8-11; if you’re in attendance, stop by and see Create O&P – and their new 3D printing system – at Booth #105. Discus this new hardware further over in the Medical Grade 3D Printer for Orthotics/Prosthetics forum at 3DPB.com.
