K2M Announces US Launch of 3D Printed Titanium Spinal Solutions For Clinical Usage

K2M, leading developer of complex and minimally invasive spinal surgery technology, has announced the US launch of their 3D printed spinal solutions portfolio at the 2016 North American Spine Society Annual Meeting, demonstrating unique use cases of the 3D printing technology in clinical treatments.

Over the past few years, the US-based global medical device company has designed, developed and distributed commercial spinal devices, technologies and techniques to spine surgeons worldwide. These solutions commercialized by K2M have been used to treat some of the most challenging spinal pathologies and disorders.

Recently, K2M was given FDA approval for a variety of 3D printed titanium implants as a part of its award winning CASCADIA Interbody Systems, with a vision to demonstrate clinical use cases and benefits of using the 3D printing technology to treat spinal disorders.

The CASCADIA system features Lamellar 3D Titanium Technology, which allows surgeons and health care companies to 3D print structures for spinal implants and treatments that are virtually impossible to replicate via conventional manufacturing methods.

Essentially, Lamellar 3D uses titanium as the base material to 3D print implants with a high-energy laser beam. K2M states that the use of the 3D printing technology and titanium enhances bone growth activity and increases efficiency of implant mechanisms in general.

Tom Morrison, a neurosurgeon at Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center in Atlanta, Georgia, expressed his optimism about K2M 3D printing solutions, explaining that Lamellar 3D Titanium Technology in particular is beneficial to both the surgeon and patients in the sense that it optimizes surgical procedures for surgeons and reduces recovery time for patients.

“With over a year of usage experience across multiple CASCADIA interbody platforms, I continue to be impressed with the Lamellar 3D Titanium Technology. The porosity and surface roughness properties make great biologic sense and the long term follow up I’m seeing with my patients reinforces my good impression. I look forward to continuing use of the CASCADIA Interbody Systems and am excited to further incorporate K2M’s Lamellar 3D Titanium Technology in my practice through future developments in other bone-growth applications,” said Morrison.

During its presentation at the North American Spine Society Annual Meeting, the K2M team also demonstrated the application of the ProX DMP 320 Direct Metal Printer from 3D Systems, revealing the exact process used by surgeons globally to 3D print CASCADIA interbodies with titanium-based material and high-energy laser beams. The application of the 3D printing technology allowed K2M to manufacture complex geometries customized for patients, which according to the K2M team would take months with traditional subtractive machining methods.

At the event, K2M also provided visitors and attendees opportunities to experience the 3D printing-based manufacturing process through virtual reality, allowing individuals to observe the 3D printing process from the standpoint of surgeons.

K2M CEO Eric Major stated, “This event represents a unique opportunity for our Company to showcase both our innovative Lamellar 3D Titanium Technology, and our comprehensive 3D-printed product portfolio, to provide attendees with a better understanding of what is driving the strong market response to date within the clinician community through clinical presentations, 3D printing demonstrations, and a virtual reality experience.”

Discuss in the K2M forum at 3DPB.com.