WASP Opens New Digital Orthopedic Laboratory for 3D Printing Medical Devices

The World’s Advanced Saving Project, or WASP, is involved in just about every industry with its wide range of 3D printers. Whether it’s creating theatrical scenery or 3D printing an entire village, WASP constantly has some sort of fascinating project in process. One of the areas where it’s making the most impact, however, is in the medical field. WASPmedical is dedicated to making healthcare as affordable as possible through 3D printing, with a focus on orthopedics and prosthetics.

Now WASPmedical is expanding its work with 3D printed orthopedic devices through the launch of the new Digital Orthopedic Laboratory. The 3D printing expertise of the company will be complemented by the medical knowledge of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Dr. Lelio Leoncini and neurosurgeon Villiam Dallolio.

The Digital Orthopedic Laboratory features a custom body scanner created from a large delta frame in which four lenses are positioned. The patient stands in the center of the frame for upper body scans, which are used to create 3D printed braces for conditions like scoliosis. The scanning process takes only seconds, after which the scans are processed using WASP’s slicing and modeling software. A smaller handheld scanner is used for hand and foot scans, which are then used to 3D print custom orthopedic insoles and wrist braces.

The lab also features two large-scale 3D printers: the 2040 TURBO2 and the 4070 Industrial, which are used to fabricate the orthopedic devices.

The new facility is great news especially for those suffering from spinal conditions like scoliosis. Dr. Leoncini is an expert in the creation of orthopedic braces for scoliosis, and has already created several different 3D printed models during his time with WASPmedical. 3D printing is revolutionizing the way that scoliosis is treated, moving away from the traditional clunky plaster cast models and toward lightweight, comfortable braces created through 3D printing and scanning. 3D technology has allowed for these braces to be custom fit in a way like never before, making them both more effective and more comfortable for the wearer.

In addition to the opening of the Digital Orthopedic Laboratory, WASP has donated two 3D printers to Damascus University so that it can set up its own lab. Affordable prosthetics are desperately needed in Syria, where the fighting is causing large numbers of people to suffer from limb loss. With the WASP 3D printers, the university will be able to 3D print custom prosthetics at low cost to supply to people wounded in the war.

“Our aim is to develop processes, machines and supplies to make a top quality service even within the developing-world-areas,” said Massimo Moretti, founder and CEO of WASP. “In Syria we’ll put into follow the connection between the medical data of specialists from our territory and the wants of a rustic devastated by the battle.”

WASP’s intention is to help people all over the world become self-sufficient through 3D printing, producing what they need for low cost and with few resources, and its medical division is committed to providing affordable alternatives to expensive medical devices. Those affordable alternatives, like Dr. Leoncini’s 3D printed scoliosis braces, are often even more effective than their more traditional counterparts. With the new Digital Orthopedic Laboratory, WASP continues to prove itself to be a leader in the new era of affordable custom medical care.

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