Gary Turner asks: What do orthopedic surgery and additive manufacturing have in common? 3D surgical guides. He writes.
First, let’s clarify what orthopedic surgery entails. It includes applications such as pediatric and adult osteotomy cases, pelvic surgeries, deformity corrections of the upper and lower limbs, orthopedic oncology, and the sourcing and shaping of allografts.
As you can imagine, these types of surgeries require thorough planning, practice, and minimal margin for error during surgery. While surgical precision has advanced significantly in the last decade, the healthcare industry continues to rely on private practice innovation to propel new technologies for improved surgical tools.
Recent advancements in healthcare have introduced novel approaches such as the implementation of 3D surgical guides[i] to support pre-surgery planning and education, ultimately improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency
For example, Ricoh USA announced a strategic partnership with Insight Surgery to revolutionize the field of patient-specific surgical guides and provide broader access to the technology for care providers and their patients. This collaboration aims to enhance surgical precision and improve patient outcomes in both pediatric and adult orthopedic surgeries.
By combining expertise in providing 3D printing solutions for the healthcare industry and in surgical planning and guide solutions, the two companies will provide broader access to advanced surgical tools, thereby driving value into healthcare systems across the United States1. Here’s three ways the partnership will drive value and ROI for the healthcare industry.
The Value of Custom Guides for Precision and Efficiency
Innovative surgical guides are tailored for a variety of applications in orthopedic procedures.
Each guide is individually and meticulously designed to translate a bespoke virtual surgical plan onto a patient, ensuring a high degree of precision. This personalized approach not only enhances surgical accuracy but also contributes to better patient outcomes.
For example, recent studies have shown that customized 3D-printed guides minimized overall tissue trauma and reduced the risk of damage to nervous and vascular structures. This, results in fewer complications, shorter recovery times, and lower chances of repeat surgeries[ii]. Not only does this benefit the patient, but it also frees up valuable time for both practitioners and surgical scheduling in an already overwhelmed healthcare system.
Streamlined Workflow and Rapid Turnaround
The wider expansion of these 3D guides is thanks to Insight Surgery’s advanced software that enables a streamlined planning and production process along with Ricoh’s growing presence in Point-of-Care facilities. This ensures that surgical guides are produced and delivered quickly. The rapid turnaround times—expedited service within 10 working days and standard service within 10 to 20 working days—are crucial for timely surgical interventions.
Expanding Access and Democratizing Technology
Partnerships between additive manufacturing enterprises and healthcare innovators is the handshake the industry needs to further democratize access to advanced 3D printing technologies.
It starts with leaders in the space making these tools more accessible and affordable. Ricoh is helping to level the playing field, allowing more healthcare providers to benefit from cutting-edge solutions – a critical step for underserved areas.
The key to driving access is to have leaders in the additive manufacturing space to pitch in, to advance partnerships, invest in incubator ideas, and explore where 3D printing can live in various areas of healthcare, perhaps even beyond just surgical use.
While surgical technology customization might be offered through an array of potential partners, there is value in working with an established additive manufacturing partner like Ricoh. Ricoh’s ecosystem already includes a range of 3D-printed solutions. By incorporating Insight Surgery’s guides, Ricoh can offer even more precise and customized options
Conclusion
The partnership between RICOH 3D for Healthcare and Insight Surgery marks a significant step forward in the field of personalized surgical solutions. By combining their strengths, these two companies are poised to make personalized surgery accessible to every surgeon in the nation, ultimately improving the standard of care and patient outcomes across the board.
[i] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35601209/
[ii] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35601209/