As Materialise’s reach in 3D printing spans the globe and the technology gains steady momentum in Japan, it’s no surprise the two should intersect in a five-year partnership between the Belgium company and Japan’s Medical Dynamic Marketing, Inc. The partnership centers around Materialise’s guide system for Total Hip Replacement.
While there are many medical conditions that can cause an individual’s hip joint to deteriorate enough to require a hip replacement–also known as a type of arthroplasty–it’s never considered to be an easy surgery, despite the huge leaps the medical community has made in performing and refining the procedure. Most will profess that the surgery is well worth it though, once they are relieved of chronic pain and are able to walk and move about again.
Progressive surgical practices, technology, and many new surgical devices are to thank in making hip replacement surgery more streamlined and easy on the patient–and today, this begins to include 3D printing more and more.
We’ve reported on countless inspiring stories stemming from Materialise’s 3D printed implants, models, and devices, from those that have helped to cure a patient with a heart condition to offering assistance in providing a treatment plan and surgery for an ongoing, problematic tumor in a teenager. Their innovations have made a difference all over the world, and with their hip replacement guide systems, should help change the quality of life for numerous patients in Japan.
“We are excited to make our technology available to even more patients in Japan through our partner Japan MDM,” says Jeroen Dille, Director of Materialise’s Clinical Unit. “Japanese surgeons working with Japan MDM’s implants will be able to plan their surgeries in 3D and use 3D printed patient-specific guides.”
As most of the world is just waking up to the innovation and future implications offered by 3D printing, they may be surprised to learn that Materialise, headquartered in Levuen, Belgium, has been a pioneer in the 3D world for over 25 years.
“We are very pleased to have the technology of Materialise NV available for Japanese patients and surgeons, and expect this technology will help Japanese surgeons to facilitate more appropriate Patient Matched surgeries to Japanese patients with 3D Printed Patient-Specific guides,” said Mr. Okawa, President of Japan MDM.
Known for their expertise in using 3D imaging to make 3D printed implants and devices, Materialise now has a presence spanning five continents, with numerous areas that they serve and products offered, from software to 3D printing services to offering webinars, workshops, as well as training and support.
A forerunner in their country’s orthopedic field, Japan’s Medical Dynamic Marketing, Inc. was founded in 1973 with a dedication to providing high-quality medical devices. They currently support ten sales departments, provide service and support to over 3100 hospitals, and are immersed in further development and expansion projects. Orthopedics account for ninety percent of their corporate sales.
Discuss this latest development in the Materialise Partners with Japan’s Medical Dynamic Marketing forum thread over at 3DPB.com.
