When Protolabs acquired Nashua, N.H.–based Rapid Manufacturing Group late last year, the deal was about expanding Protolabs’ CNC machining capabilities. It also added sheet metal to Protolabs’ list of quick-turn manufacturing services. For Rapid, Protolabs buying the company offered the opportunity for Rapid to become, well, more rapid, Burke Bero, a product manager at Rapid, recently
NIH offers $1 million prize in human retina prototype competition
February 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has created a $1 million prize competition to challenge people to build functioning human retina prototypes to help in the fight against blindness. The National Eye Institute 3D Retina Organoid Challenge is designed to create lab-grown human retinas from stem cells that replicate the structure, organization and function of
This smartphone case monitors blood glucose on the go
February 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment
University of California San Diego engineers have created a smartphone case that, when paired with an app, can make it easier for people with diabetes to track and record blood glucose levels on the go. “Integrating blood glucose sensing into a smartphone would eliminate the need for patients to carry a separate device,” Patrick Mercier,
How have medtech launches and prototyping evolved with 3D printing?
November 7, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Here are three basic ways that 3D printing can help you get your medical device project off the ground. Jim Medsker, Keystone Solutions Group Additive manufacturing, commonly referred to as 3D printing, began to surface in the 1980s. Since then, the technology has quickly become a valuable tool for creating plastic prototype parts in a rapid
Virtual tubing model analysis can accelerate complex catheter shaft design
November 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Michael Holt, Integer Virtual tubing model analysis optimizes catheter design to help engineers reach final design freeze faster and shorten time to market. As medical procedures become more complex, engineers are challenged to develop smaller, thinner-walled catheters to keep pace with high-performance clinical demands. Conventional catheter prototyping relies on a manual, time-consuming trial-and-error process involving
3D printing options are growing for medtech development: Here’s how
October 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment
The new Multi Jet Fusion process out of HP is but the latest 3D printing technology to up the game for medical device development. Here’s a roundup of what’s available. Jon Eric Van Roekel, Proto Labs The medical device industry continues to be driven by innovation. Some sources, including medical market research firm Kalorama Information,
Stratasys introduces rubber-like, engineering-grade 3D printing materials
September 27, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS), a global leader in applied additive technology solutions, announced new material compatibility for its flagship J750 full color, multi-material 3D printing system, delivering additional functionality and versatility for rapid prototyping and tooling applications. Stratasys PolyJet Agilus30 rubber-like material and Digital ABS Plus engineering-grade material can now be used with the Stratasys J750. […]
What’s next in 3D printing prototypes
September 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Tony Holtz, Proto Labs 3D printing is advancing, especially for medical device applications. Printer developers are making leaps when it comes to achieving finer resolution and prototypers are improving steps for secondary processes. The 3D printing technology has enabled improvements in micro resolution features and clarity for lenses and microfluidics. The improved secondary operations have created
Medtech innovation: Here’s how you speed it up
September 20, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Here’s how medtech can speed up its processes and tap into innovation, courtesy of Peter Douglass, director of technical operations at Proto Labs. Innovation in the medtech space is what every company wants. And there are many theories on how to get there. One is that improving the speed at which you develop will naturally
FAIs: When do you use conventional versus digital inspection methods?
September 19, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Tony Holtz, Proto Labs First article inspections (FAIs) can be time-consuming and costly, but they are a necessary step in getting medical devices from product design to production. Medical device manufacturers are likely familiar with the process, although most leave it to suppliers to handle. Even if that is the case, device makers should get
3D printing can give your medtech startup a competitive edge
September 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment
You need to be fast and nimble to compete. A strong maker culture enabled by 3D design and 3D printing could be the way to do it. Derek Mathers, Worrell It can be a lonely world for medical and biotechnology startup entrepreneurs during the early days. Despite their deep desire to introduce and scale novel life-extending
How to efficiently move from 3D printing to injection molding
August 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Designers in medical device and health industries can benefit from integrating 3D printing, machining and injection molding from prototyping to production and even during the post-launch phase of products. Todd Nelson, Proto Labs Using industrial 3D printing for rapid prototyping of parts for new medical devices and other products can mean design risk reduction for
How MRI can power mini-robots inside the body for targeted treatment
July 24, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Scientists at the University of Houston and Houston Methodist Hospital are harnessing the power of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to drive mini-robots through the body for targeted treatment. The researchers are developing control algorithms, imaging technology, ultrafast computational methods and human-machine immersion methods that could enable the steering of dozens or even thousands of tiny millimeter-sized
Stratasys 3D printing is speeding up vision diagnostic systems prototyping
May 30, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Stratasys – the 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company – today announced that Italy-based surgical eye equipment maker Nidek Technologies is using a Stratasys Objet500 Connex3 multi-material color 3D printer to accelerate clinical trial evaluations of its ophthalmological devices (vision diagnostic systems). The R&D division has reported a 75% reduction in prototyping costs, while cutting
10 new crowdfunded health devices that will intrigue you
May 8, 2017 By 2 Comments
With crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, companies can obtain the funding for ideas they want to come to life (even potato salad parties), with the promise of something in return to the donors. And while crowdfunding presents challenges for regulated medical devices, it’s proven to be a boon for startups touting potentially innovative health and
