Syqe Medical Invests in XJet’s Ceramics 3D Printing for Inhaler Parts

A few years ago, Israeli drug delivery company Syqe Medical made a 3D printed medical marijuana inhaler that’s able to control the dosage of medicinal cannabis, making it a healthier option. Now, the company is turning to another Israel-based company, XJet Ltd., for help 3D printing sustained high-temperature parts using its NanoParticle Jetting (NPJ) technology, which has applications in both the medical and dental fields.

The company’s flagship Selective-Dose medical inhaler offers a high level of accuracy so it’s safe and effective to use when treating patients. Using a cartridge containing pre-loaded medicinal VaporChips, the user-friendly device delivers drugs at very tailored and precise levels, so users are able to have a higher quality of life by achieving the optimal balance between relief from symptoms and what a press release calls “adverse events.”

“Utilizing its breakthrough technology, Syqe aims to relieve the suffering of as many patients as possible in the fastest possible way,” the Syqe Medical website states.

Syqe Medical was investigating the use of PEEK materials paired with conventional manufacturing processes, as it needed to build a precise, high temperature, electrically insulated test facility to develop its product. But the company found that most design processes were not sufficient, as they needed a lot of adjustments, which caused costs and delivery times to skyrocket, and they were also having a difficult time finding durable, heat-resistant materials.

“Realising we needed another solution, we turned to XJet. We have a wealth of experience with additive manufacturing technologies and whilst the polymer materials don’t have the heat resistance we needed, XJet ceramic materials are resistant to temperatures even higher than our requirements and of course they are electrically insulated. Minor design adjustments are very easy, and results are precise and repeatable, so we can achieve optimum accuracy and delivery times are very fast. Where all other options were flawed in at least one aspect, XJet provided the perfect solution,” stated Itay Kurgan, Product Manager at Syqe Medical.

According to XJet, its patented NPJ technology and Carmel 1400 3D printer can easily create parts with superfine layers that feature high accuracy, smooth surfaces, and extremely fine details…which is exactly what Syqe Medical needs.

“Syqe Medical is making life-changing advancements in the field of patient care so we’re delighted to see them reaping the rewards of XJet’s unique capabilities,” said XJet CBO Dror Danai. “Ceramics have some very valuable material properties, but it can be difficult to exploit them due to difficulties in the manufacturing process. XJet delivers all the benefits of ceramic materials, with accuracy and precision, but without the difficulties of traditional manufacturing.”

Last month, Syqe Medical purchased the new Stratasys J55 to optimize and speed up its product design process by 3D printing several elements, including the casing, chassis, and springs, for its inhaler prototypes. Now with its investment into XJet’s ceramics NPJ 3D printing, it seems that the pharma-tech company is covering all of its bases.

(Source/Images: XJet)