Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

The Lab for 3D Printing Orthopedics Implants, the first of its kind in Zhuhai and the first orthopedics clinic application lab co-founded by a hospital and an enterprise, commenced operations on Jan 18.

A joint project of the Xiangzhou District Second People’s Hospital and Zhuhai Print-Rite Holdings, the lab rings in a digital technology era for Zhuhai’s orthopedics.

Co-developers of the lab

According to hospital vice president Zhong Botao, the 3D printing technology can create a 1:1 physical model depending on patients’ three-dimensional reconstruction CT data. This is a marked improvement from the two-dimensional X-ray film to help patients and doctors perceive the state of illness. It can also save treatment time by pre-bending the steel plate to be implanted. 

The technology’s application in orthopedics is a specific performance of precision medicine and customization. Doctors can formulate their operation plan and design a surgical stent. It speeds up surgery, reduces pain, and enhances the therapeutic effect via accurate placement, direction, length, and type. Therefore, the technology has a high application value and favorable prospects. At present, dozens of hospitals nationwide have made the trial and Zhuhai is just beginning, Zhong explained.

3D models [Photos courtesy dayinpai.com]

The reform requires strong technical support from high-tech enterprises. As the world’s only enterprise having produced universal printer consumables for more than 35 years, Print-Rite possesses 166 technical patents in the 3D printing industry relying upon independent innovation advantages and expertise. On the basis of manufacturing 3D printers, it mainly engages in 3D printing material development and is devoted to 3D solutions for all industries. 

Company director Su Jianqiang said that as 3D printing technology can make solid materials of any size, appearance and internal structure, it can realize made-to-measure products. The company will continue to make breakthroughs in product research and development to satisfy the demands of the hospital’s clinical application, he said.