4WEB Medical Launches 3D Printed Foot and Ankle Osteotomy Implants

It’s a winning combination for all involved: No longer are choices so narrow when it comes to foot and ankle osteotomy implants, plus, they are now being constructed with new technology. The previous norm in osteotomy solutions for surgeons was around 15 different choices for implant sizes. That’s all changed, thanks to 4WEB Medical, and surgeons are already enthusiastically making use of the largest offering of foot and ankle osteotomy implants ever, with the implants being produced through 3D printing truss implant technology.  There are now 74 choices being offered, allowing much greater options for customization.

4WEB Medical announces the formal launch of the largest offering of 3D-printed foot and ankle osteotomy implants on the market today at this weekend’s American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society annual meeting in Chicago. AOFAS is an organization of 2,100 orthopedic surgeons from the US and abroad who specialize in the treatment of injuries, diseases, and other conditions of the foot and ankle. They will be meeting this weekend, September 19-23, for two events: IFFAS 5th Triennial Scientific Meeting: September 19-21, 2014 and AOFAS Annual Meeting: September 21-23, 2014.

“Within a short amount of time surgeons have already utilized 55 of the Osteotomy Truss System’s 74 sizes in surgery, demonstrating the significant market demand that 4WEB Medical has now addressed,” said Jessee Hunt, President of 4WEB Medical. “Due to the breadth of this offering, the Osteotomy Truss System brings an FDA-cleared solution closer to a design that is tailored for patient-specific needs.”

4WEB Medical is the leader in 3D-printed medical technology as the first company to receive FDA clearance for an additive manufactured spine implant. 4WEB’s initial focus was on the spine implant market but it soon became clear the 4WEB truss implant technology could be used as a broad platform to develop an array of products across the entire orthopedic arena. The designs can be applied to any orthopedic procedure requiring structural support.

“Similar to the technology used in bridges, skyscrapers, and airplane wings, truss designs provide strong structural support and integrity when implanted within the body with the goal of sustaining angular corrections,” said John Crates, MD, Foot and Ankle Surgeon. “Additionally, the structural mechanics and surface topology of the Osteotomy Truss System promote osseous incorporation and potentially accelerate healing.”

4WEB Medical offers the following FDA-cleared implant systems:

• ALIF Spine Truss System
• Cervical Spine Truss System
• Osteotomy Truss System

Founded in 2008 by President and CEO Jessee Hunt in Frisco, TX, thirty years of research led to the 4WEB, a building block used to create high-strength, lightweight web structures. Mr. Hunt leveraged this breakthrough along with cutting-edge 3D printing technology to develop 4WEB Medical’s proprietary implant platform. The 4WEB Medical product portfolio currently offers comprehensive surgical solutions to neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, and foot and surgeons.

Do you know anyone who has received a 3D-printed implant? Share your thoughts about this technology with us in the 3D printed ankle/foot implant forum thread at 3DPB.com.