Materialise, a leading provider of 3D printing services and software solutions, and Formlabs, a respective leader in the 3D printing industry, are collaborating to deliver a complete, cost-effective and easy-to-use solution for hospitals who are looking to start an in-house 3D print lab. The new offering combines the Materialise Mimics inPrint medical imaging software with Formlabs’ Form 2 printers, the best-selling, professional-grade desktop 3D printers. The proven components of this complete 3D printing package facilitate the implementation of patient-specific care at an affordable price-per-print for quick return on investment.
The financial, educational, and clinical benefits of 3D anatomical models for communication and surgical planning have been documented and discussed for years. However, the perceived barriers to developing an onsite 3D print lab, including setup costs and high costs per part, have deterred some hospitals from employing this emerging technology.
“We are committed to removing barriers for 3D printing technology in the medical industry, and this partnership with Formlabs is an important first step in our efforts to expand access to 3D printing in hospitals,” says Brigitte de Vet, Vice President of Medical at Materialise. “Our software is essential to creating virtual and printed 3D models in the medical industry, and with each new partnership, we are bringing greater patient-specific care to more hospitals for a better, healthier world.”
(Image credit: Materialise)
As the use of 3D anatomical models rapidly progresses in the medical field, it has become a standard procedure and valuable tool for communicating complex surgical plans with patients. Once hospitals have adopted on-site 3D printing, they are able to easily scale their operations as demand for anatomical models grows.
“Clinicians have seen the value of 3D anatomical models from our Form 2 printer, and they are looking for new ways to bring this innovative technology to their patients,” says Dávid Lakatos, Chief Product Officer at Formlabs. “By combining Materialise’s software with Formlabs’ 3D printers, we have developed a simple, easy-to-use solution for hospitals to incorporate 3D printing into their daily practices. Together, we’re introducing technology that enables advancements in precise patient care.”
