Stratasys Forms Medical Partnership

Hillary Clinton visits The Jacobs Institute in New York, which has been named a Stratasys Center of Excellence. Image: Stratasys

Buffalo-based The Jacobs Institute has partnered with Stratasys to advance the use of 3D printing in neurosurgery, heart surgery, for the treatment of diseases that impair blood vessels, and other healthcare applications.

Last year, doctors at the Jacobs Institute created a 3D replica of a patient’s blood vessels to prepare for brain surgery to repair an aneurysm. The team, working with physicians at Kaleida Health’s Gates Vascular Institute and biomedical engineers at the University of Buffalo, were able to reduce the risks associated with the complex surgery.

The Jacobs Institute received a $200,000 grant from the James H. Cummings Foundation to purchase a more sophisticated 3D printer. Staff will be able to create models in multiple materials and colors to generate patient-specific anatomical models for surgical prep, for testing new stroke and vascular disease treatment devices, and for training purposes.

The company purchased a refurbished Objet 500 Connex3 printer.

“The new materials and colors mean we can produce highly sophisticated 3D anatomical replicas to accelerate product testing, research and advanced training,” Dr. Adnan H. Siddiqui, chief medical officer at Jacobs and vice chairman and professor of neurosurgery at the University of Buffalo, told Buffalo News. “It opens doors that previously did not exist.”

As part of the partnership, the Jacobs Institute will be named a Stratasys 3D Printing Center of Excellence (COE). The organization will help showcase new applications, and provide medical and engineering feedback about the printer and materials. The COE will also be a referral center for other healthcare organizations that are considering implementing 3D printing labs.

“By partnering with Stratasys, the Jacobs Institute is bringing the leader in 3D printing to Buffalo to work closely with the JI and its partners, Kaleida Health and the University at Buffalo, to accelerate the development of new medical technologies,” said Bill Maggio, CEO of the Jacobs Institute. “Working together, the respective institutions will leverage their strengths to make an impact far greater than they could make individually.”

Last year, Stratasys announced the formation of a medical solutions group to target emerging healthcare markets.

“This announcement with the Jacobs Institute is an important milestone, marking the first time we are formally partnering with a medical organization to explore the exciting opportunities of 3D printing and healthcare,” said Scott Rader, General Manager, Medical Solutions, Stratasys. “Stratasys brings decades of experience to the Jacobs Institute, a leader in 3D printed models, to push the boundaries of how these models can be used to train the next generation of physicians, and test new devices.”

Source: Stratasys