nir-vana innovation network

For an effective treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, the opportunity to produce customized orthoses and medical aids on the basis of body scans with additive manufacturing is of great benefit - but it requires very short production times and very specific material properties- and combinations. A startup from northern Germany brings to market a multi-nozzle technology – currently the fastest extrusion-based 3D printing available on the market. Increased strength also opens up new areas of application: Orthoses from the 3D printer - Patient-specific aids available spontaneously. Using multi-nozzle technology, individual aids of all sizes, adapted to the respective patient, can be produced in the shortest possible time, even overnight. Together with a partner, the use of 3D printing with multi-nozzle technology for the production of medical aids from PP filament was examined. A certification for medical-technical use (medical aids outside of the body, not for implants) has already been obtained for the material in advance. The processability in multi-nozzle technology was successfully validated in the project. Using the example of a leg splint, the process time reduction of 75 percent could be demonstrated. In addition, the effects of the multi-nozzle technology lead to an increase in strength, which leads to almost direction-independent (isotropic) properties. The multi-nozzle technology enables seamless multi-material 3D printing. E.g. certified material can be printed only on the component surface whereas recycled or fiber-reinforced material could be used inside the component. The technology enables all this in one printing process. The company already cooperates with pilot partners for applications in orthopedic technology with very promising results. In order to further evaluate and scale-up market access in health sector, cooperation with additional pilot partners is sought. It would be beneficial if the partner would already have access to a software for collection of data (body scan) for the components. The 3D printing machines can be purchased or rented. One of the models is CE certified and can therefore be offered at short notice throughout Europe. Pilot activities could also include research and development cooperation on specific applications. Geographic proximity to the North of Germany would be beneficial to ease close cooperation during pilot activities. Expressions of interest from companies with a background in other sectors, interested to try out the benefits of multi-nozzle 3D printing technology for their application needs, are also welcome.