Avinent ivests in Stratasys J750 3D Printer to provide advanced anatomical models for hospitals in Spain

Avinent selects the world’s only full-color, multi-material 3D printer to produce ultra-realistic anatomical models for hospitals, while also creating advanced dental models

Spanish scientific research and technological innovation company, AVINENT, has invested in a Stratasys J750 3D Printer to significantly increase its capability to produce 3D printed anatomical and dental models for customers within the medical sector. Using the J750, the company aims to fill orders from public and private health centers, as well as hospitals requiring anatomical models used to simulate and effectively plan surgeries.

Full-color, multi-material 3D printed anatomical models

Based in Santpedor, Barcelona, AVINENT provides digital health solutions for hospitals and clinics, offering personalized implants and surgical guides in a variety of areas. These include reconstructive surgery, orthognathic surgery, neurosurgery, as well as reproduction of body parts, such as the spinal column.

The accuracy and realism of 3D printed models are crucial for medical practitioners. They need to mimic a patient’s anatomy and offer a clear visual representation of the affected area, so that surgeons can provide an accurate prognosis and identify the best course of treatment. To meet this requirement, AVINENT has adopted the world’s only full color, multi-material 3D printer. The J750’s unique capabilities enable the company to produce high-resolution, multi-material, color models of a patient’s anatomy simply not possible with other 3D printing technologies.

“In the past, we’ve tried several 3D printers, but we’ve been limited when requiring complex models that necessitate different textures, materials and colors,” explains Albert Giralt, CEO of AVINENT. “The J750 is a big step forward for us. We’re now able to produce patient-specific models of exceptional realism, which will make the surgeon’s job much easier and ultimately improve patient care. The fact that we can now 3D print models using several different materials, textures and colors – all in a single print – means we can also drastically reduce cost and lead times during production.”

Despite only making the technology investment very recently, AVINENT is already seeing quantifiable benefits. For example, the company is now producing transparent 3D printed models of jaws that permit hospitals to show the localization of nerves. The team also recently 3D printed a highly-advanced transparent heart model with injected colors, using multiple materials and textures, which enabled the surgeon to definitively outline a carcinoma growing in the affected organ.

Ultra-realistic 3D printed dental models

AVINENT is also leveraging the Stratasys J750 3D printer to produce a wide range of models for dental practitioners. 3D printing models combining hard and soft materials has increased the company’s ability to address more complex requests from customers. For example, AVINENT can create the effect of gum using flexible materials, while mimicking the mandible or maxilla with nerves and teeth using more rigid materials.

Giralt continues: “The new 3D printer will quickly take us to the next level of digital dentistry. Indeed, we can already now rapidly produce dental models with unrivalled realism, enabling dental practitioners to better visualize their patient’s mouth and teeth, and find the most effective solution to the specific problem. This is what medical professionals’ value, aiding pre-surgery simulations while improving the chances of success and overall patient care. The range of possibilities on the J750 are infinite, and its diverse applications will continue to grow.”