3D Systems and Onkos Surgical Partner to Improve Cancer Patient Outcomes Through 3D Printing and Virtual Surgical Planning

Onkos Surgical was founded in 2015 with the goal of creating quality implants and instruments to meet the needs of musculoskeletal cancer patients. Today, the company announces that it has signed a four-year agreement with 3D Systems to improve patient outcomes and advance the delivery of personalized surgical solutions. Through the agreement, Onkos Surgical will gain priority access to 3D Systems’ Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) Orthopedic product line, as well as 3D printed anatomical models. The two companies will also work together on 510(k) clearances for 3D printed implants and instruments for tumor reconstruction.

Onkos Surgical and 3D Systems hope to, through the partnership, advance the delivery of personalized surgical solutions that will improve outcomes particularly for patients with tumors and lesions in the pelvis and long bones associated with musculoskeletal cancers. By using VSP combined with 3D printing, surgeons can plan complex surgical procedures ahead of time and design surgical tools and implants for each individual patient.

“We are delighted to announce this partnership with 3D Systems, a true visionary and leader in medical device 3D printing and surgical planning. As an early stage investor in Onkos, they understand the criticality of our connection to the customer, the unique challenges these surgeons and patients face and the tremendous opportunity we have to make a difference for these patients while building a high value and scalable business,” said Patrick Treacy, Co-Founder and CEO, Onkos Surgical.

VSP technology received FDA market clearance for the cranio-maxillofacial region as a service-based approach to personalized surgery. It combines medical imaging, surgical simulation and 3D printing. Surgeons will initiate a web-based meeting with a 3D Systems biomedical engineer to plan and simulate the surgical procedure, and to form a digital plan that will then be transferred to the operating room via 3D printed patient-specific models, guides and templates.

[Image: 3D Systems]

“3D Systems is pleased to partner with Onkos Surgical delivering adaptive tools designed to provide insights, processes and outcomes for musculoskeletal oncology cases. The combination of VSP and 3D printing provides an advantage for surgeons to personalize the surgical plan, instruments and implants for each unique case,” said Kevin McAlea, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Metals and Healthcare, 3D Systems.

Shortly after Onkos Surgical was founded, the company began using 3D printing technology, realizing that it was an effective way to meet the needs of both surgeons and patients. The company then began exploring the potential of combining personalized 3D printed medical devices and instrumentation with patient-specific surgical simulation.

“When we launched our Precision Oncology initiative at MSTS 2017 in Denver, it was met with great enthusiasm from the surgeon community. The relationship with 3D Systems enhances our capabilities with product bundles and patient-specific solutions that will deliver on our promise of bringing focus and dedication to this space,” said Sean Curry, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Onkos Surgical.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there were 3,260 new cases of bone cancer reported in 2017. Two surgical options for treating this kind of cancer are amputation and limb salvage, which involves the removal of the cancer and some healthy tissue, which is then replaced by a bone graft or an implant. Obviously the latter would be the preferred option for most people, and VSP technology can help surgeons to better plan such surgeries and enhance the potential for success without long-term complications.

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