The Reed Smith white paper, titled “3D Printing of Medical Devices: When a Novel Technology Meets Traditional Legal Principles,” explores the unchartered legal issues arising out of one of the hottest product trends: the use of 3D printing to manufacture medical devices.
Reed Smith’s global Life Sciences Health Industry Group announced the publication of its comprehensive white paper on the state of 3D printing technologies in the medical devices industry.
The Reed Smith white paper, titled “3D Printing of Medical Devices: When a Novel Technology Meets Traditional Legal Principles,” explores the unchartered legal issues arising out of one of the hottest product trends: the use of 3D printing to manufacture medical devices.
“Reed Smith continues to stay in front of emerging technologies that are important to our medical device and other life science clients and their businesses,” said Sandy Thomas, global managing partner at Reed Smith. “It’s only a matter of time before 3D printing impacts clients in a broad range of sectors.”
The white paper provides chapters on a wide range of developing legal issues, including the regulatory landscape, intellectual property, tort liability, environmental effects, health risks in the workplace and insurance risks and recovery.
The white paper also provides a brief overview of what 3D technology is, and how it is being used to print medical devices for patient treatment and use ranging from cutting-edge prosthetics, dental and facial implants, organ models and tracheal splints, to everything from household goods, guns and even cars.
The paper further looks head-on at product liability risks and offers strategic insights and guidance to in-house counsel on litigation avoidance, contractual duties and regulatory compliance.
“3D printing is here and is radically transforming the way medical devices are used to treat patients and save lives,” said Colleen T. Davies, a Silicon Valley partner. “Clearly, the time is now for the industry to examine the unknown risks and consequences.”
Reed Smith’s white paper is a team effort, with input from several areas of experience, including, in the practice areas of life sciences (Silicon Valley-based Colleen T. Davies; Los Angeles-based Lisa M. Baird; Philadelphia-based James M. Beck; Washington-based Celeste A. Letourneau, Kevin M. Madagan, and Gail L. Daubert); environmental (San Francisco-based Todd O. Maiden); intellectual property (Philadelphia-based Tracy Zurzolo Quinn); and insurance recovery (Washington-based John W. Schryber). Reed Smith associates Matthew D. Jacobson in Washington and Farah Tabibkhoei in Los Angeles serve as the assistant editors.
As with Reed Smith’s other industry white papers, “3D Printing of Medical Devices: When a Novel Technology Meets Traditional Legal Principles” will be updated continuously as new developments occur.
Reed Smith
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