Even if 3D printing has been around for many years, it only became popular a few years ago with breakthroughs in the technology and decreasing 3D printing costs.
We have seen all sorts of 3D-printed items and some of them made us question the usefulness of the technology, but a sure thing is that 3D printing is not only a recreative tool anymore and that it is changing the game in the health industry. Spectacularly innovations have entered the market such as a 3D-printed skin for burn victims or 3D implants for babies affected by tracheobronchomalacia.
Xkelet, a Spanish start-up, also wants to leave its footprint in the industry and has recently been rewarded for its customized 3D-printed orthosis that speeds up the healing of 80% of the most common bone injuries.
A scanning app available on iPad analyzes the affected limb and models the perfect splint adapted to the morphology and the exact injury of the patient. Further customization (color, material, etc.) is also available via the app.
Xkelet orthosis is lightweight, flexible and optimizes hygiene and comfort. First results are promising and patients declared that they were able to conserve a normal routine (wear normal clothes, take shower with the splint) and that Xkelet helped to prevent muscle loss.
The product has just received certification from the EU and approval from the European Medicines Agency. Xkelet is expected to go to market early 2017.
One downside of the product is the relatively long time to get the customized orthosis. It takes approximately 8 hours for the printing but the patient should wait up to 4 days to have the cast. If the injury is serious, the patient should get an immediate treatment and he will not be able to wait 4 days but the CEO is confident and does not think that this time will be an issue “”We have to remember that with broken bones, the doctor has to reset the injury before definitively immobilising it, and that means going back to the surgery after between three and eight days”.
What do you think about Xkelet? Do you think it will manage to revolutionize the medical healing process?
Sources : https://www.technologyreview.com/s/601931/you-can-get-a-3-d-printed-cast-for-a-broken-bone/
