By SME | Materialise
- Jos Vander Sloten, PhD, Chairman, Leuven Medical Technology Centre
- Filip Stockmans, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon, KU Leuven
- Andy Christensen, LimbForge
- Robert J. Morrison, MD, Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, University of Michigan
- Sam Onukuri, Sr Fellow & Head, 3D Printing & Netshape Technology Ctr., Johnson & Johnson Supply Chain
- Katie Weimer, VP Medical Devices – Healthcare, 3DSYSTEMS
- Lauralyn McDaniel, SME
- Wilfried Vancraen, CEO, Materialise
Advances in medical technology have spurred an evolution towards personalized medicine for improved healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Three-dimensional (3D) printing, also referred to as additive manufacturing, has become an important contributor to this evolution and remains an essential technology in our healthcare system of the future.
While surgical uses of 3D printing-centric therapies have a long history beginning with anatomical models for bony reconstruction planning, widespread use has been limited. Primary challenges impacting patient access to the benefits of 3D printing include insufficient evidence of patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness, both of which will need to be expanded to set appropriateness guidelines that will lead to standards of care and reimbursement.
In May 2016, medical 3D printing stakeholders including device manufacturers, researchers, point-of-care manufacturers, technology developers, regulatory representatives, and clinicians, gathered to discuss and address the need to bolster scientific evidence for 3D printing. The combined experience of these stakeholders is critical to the safety and efficacy of 3D printing applications. Their knowledge can provide information needed for patients and clinicians as well as vital information for healthcare policy makers and payors to make well-balanced health policy decisions.
The meeting, Building Evidence for 3D Printed Applications in Medicine, took place in Orlando, Florida co-located with SME’s annual RAPID event. Focusing on anatomical models, patient-matched surgical planning and surgical guides, and patient matched implants, presentations and discussion addressed the clinical, engineering, and economic perspectives.
To read the white paper from the “Building Evidence for 3D Printing Applications in Medicine” press here.
Source: SME/Materialise
