3D Systems and Stryker Partner Up for Virtual Surgical Planning Distribution Partnership

Thanks to a new partnership between 3D Systems and Stryker that was just announced this morning, surgeons specializing in craniomaxillofacial (CMF) procedures will be able to save hours in the operating room by combining anatomical models and 3D Systems’ Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) service, which will improve the results for the patient.

This exclusive distribution partnership for anatomical craniomaxillofacial models and VSP will advance the field of personalized surgery, as it offers surgeons new 3D visualization capabilities for patients’ anatomies; this will help immensely as they develop customized surgical plans ahead of complex operations.

“Collaborating with surgeons to deliver the best possible patient outcomes is of the utmost importance to our company. With the advancement of 3D printing, combined with the surgeon’s ability to use our Virtual Surgical Planning and anatomical modeling technologies, a patient’s life can be forever changed. It provides surgeons with the ability to have a clear 3D visualization of a patient’s anatomy and to develop a customized surgical plan prior to even entering the operating room,” said Kevin McAlea, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Metals and Healthcare, 3D Systems.

The VSP service, which was expanded for use in the operating room last year, was established by 3D Systems, a veritable pioneer in personalized medicine. The technology combines 3D printing, medical imaging, and surgical simulation expertise, and according to a release, “received FDA market clearance as a service-based approach to personalized surgery.”

3D Systems has offered anatomical services or VSP technology in more than 100,000 cases, including those of formerly conjoined twins Jadon and Anias McDonald and a complex facial transplant. The surgeon gets the process going, and brings the initial surgical plan to an online web meeting with a 3D Systems biomedical engineer. Then, the desired plan is simulated, so the surgeon is able to become more familiar with, and plan around, specific anatomy. The planning session results in a digital surgical plan, which is then sent to the hospital’s operating room in the form of patient-specific, 3D printed anatomical models, guides, templates, and digital tools.

By partnering up with leading medical technology company Stryker, the availability of personalized surgical planning, techniques, and patient-specific anatomical models will increase, helping surgeons get patients in and out of the operating room much more quickly…and safely.

Katie Weimer, Vice President, Medical Devices, 3D Systems, said, “We have a history of achieving positive patient outcomes working with Stryker. I am so proud to partner with a world leader in medical technologies to deliver our innovative solutions – helping surgeons change the lives of their patients.”

The agreement, which is specific to the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia, will begin on February 1st, 2018. Stryker, which entered into a partnership with GE Additive not too long ago, offers patient-specific solutions for CMF cases. The company brings a specialist sales team together with 3D Systems’ complementary tech offerings, set to enhance efficiency in surgical situations.

“This partnership allows us to better support the rapidly evolving needs of our customers and accelerate innovation in the area of personalized medicine. We are very pleased that 3D Systems chose us as their long-term collaborator in this space,” said Stryker Vice President and General Manager David Mercado.

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