As there is a higher demand for 3D-printed orthotics, quite a few companies are specialists in this industry. Let’s take a look at some examples!
Together with Daniel Robert Orthopedics, we worked on an orthotic project focused on the design freedom and flexibility 3D printing offers.
Daniel Robert Orthopedics is a swiss firm that offers specialized services in fields such as technical orthopedics, orthotics, prostheses, rehabilitation positioning, and special footwear.
The aim is to create an orthosis that is custom-fit to the patient’s needs, allowing them flexibility and comfort. The challenges for Daniel Robert Orthopedics were that every design had to be completely individualized and fitted for each patient’s unique needs and that the production quality had to be consistent and repeatable. If you want to know how this challenge was met using 3D printing, read our customer story.
Spentys
The start-up from Belgium has developed software for perfectly suited immobilization devices. According to Spentys, this software makes the creation by medical professionals of needed devices faster and cheaper. Another advantage of the Spentys software is the easy-to-use interface. It provides a step-by-step introduction to the design workflow and enables the professional to design the device directly on the patient’s scan.
ActivArmor is based in the United States and produces orthoses and splints. The advantage of an Activamor cast is that it gives the wearer more mobility than normal plaster would do. After the patient has a doctor’s prescription, the scan for the cast can be done by the iPhone App. Every design by ActivArmor is custom designed and printed. Via the ActivAmor online portal, the doctor can simply select a cast design for the patient. The casts are waterproof.
According to Invent Medical helping people is their mission. Their goal is the invention, development, and design of perfectly fitted orthotics & prosthetics to improve the patient’s treatment outcomes. For this, Invent Medical offers software. The company is a big believer that the device should not only fit the patient but should also match the fashion and lifestyle of set person. This makes it easier to accept the device.
The Czech-based firm has been using additive manufacturing for more than 12 years.
Another Belgian start-up is Twikit. Their software, “TwikFit,” focuses on orthotics and sports devices and personalized consumer goods. Twikit enables medical professionals to design and create orthotics in their offices without engineering skills. An advantage of their software is that it includes the whole device workflow from the order to production. In collaboration with Twikit, we also published an e-book about “Enabling Mass-Customization in the Medical Sector.” It is about how medical projects can use the full potential of additive manufacturing and gives the best tips to reach your goals.
Mecuris is another start-up, but this time from Germany. Their developed software impresses through an intuitive setup that is easy to use and needs almost no time to get used to. They say their software can be compared to a “digital orthotics workshop.” Mecuris software includes many different modules, such as a correction one, a modeling one, and a creator one. When working with Mecuris a 3D printing services Bureau like Sculpteo is needed to print the device.
The Finish start-up was created out of a problem: The creation of complex and custom designs swiftly and consistently. With their technology, they provide laboratories with the opportunity to 3D print mass customization but with design freedom. The cloud platform to create a design is fitted for every customer’s product and workflow. Thus, improving constituency, accuracy, and speed of design. A scanning App is included in the platform, but Taika also allows input from various 3D scanners.
Artus3D is a Dutch start-up that specializes solely in hand braces. They provide a scanner that can scan a full hand in about two minutes and uploads the image directly into the Artus3D Cloud. From there, it is accessible everywhere. The Artus3D software goes ahead and corrects the scan and creates a digital model of the hand. When everything is checked and adjusted, the 3D printer receives the file and prints the device.