Personalised, 3D-printed bone implants
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A Ukrainian startup is pursuing regulatory clearance to begin sales of patient-specific bone implants in 2022
Spotted: Odesa and Kyiv-based startup A.D.A.M has a bold and ambitious mission – to make it possible to treat any part of the human body as a replaceable part. The company uses the analogy of a car shop, where patients can replace body parts like they would a broken fan belt.
This may sound like a lofty goal, but the company is making rapid progress. Since the company’s foundation in 2018, the initial focus has been on developing bone implants using proprietary 3D printing technology. This technology has already passed pre-clinical trials in wistar rats, and the company is currently awaiting further regulatory clearances with the goal of beginning sales in 2022.
One of the key benefits of A.D.A.M’s technology is that the implants can be tailored to specific patient needs. The company has created a digital platform where patients can upload and securely store their MRI and CAT scans. Doctors can then use this information to create a 3D model of the implant, which is then used as the basis for production.
Production of the implants through 3D printers can either take place at the company’s facilities or directly on site depending on the needs of each medical institution. The process is fast, taking up to 24 hours. The use of 3D printing and the company’s specially designed material composites also substantially lowers the cost of production compared to titanium or PEEK-based implants.
Following production, medical professionals receive a sterilised implant that is ready for immediate use in surgery. The implants are biodegradable and are gradually replaced by bone over time. This means that patients do not need a second operation to remove the implant at a later date.
Bone implants are just the first step in A.D.A.M’s plans. The company website states that research into blood vessel, heart valve, and bronchial implants will be the priority in the coming years.
Other recent medical technology innovations spotted by Springwise include low-cost diagnostic equipment for epilepsy, and deep AI for scanning x-rays.
Written By: Matthew Hempstead