3DMed
Development and streamlined integration of 3D printing technologies to enable advanced medical treatment and its widespread application
Priority Axis
Technological and Social InnovationSpecific objective
Technological Innovation
Lead partner
Technische Universiteit Delft [TUD]Contact
Start Date
12/07/2018End Date
31/03/2022Project budget
6 843 951 €ERDF amount
4 106 370 €ERDF rate
60%About
Common challenge
3D printing (3DP) technologies carry the promise of revolutionizing the quality and efficiency of healthcare. However, the required technologies, even when available, are currently too fragmented to be integrated into routine, affordable and streamlined solutions that can benefit a large number of patients. The challenge thereby is to deliver 3DP technologies enabling:
- Patient-specific solutions: personalized medical devices that are designed using the images acquired for individual patients and best fit their treatment needs;
- Complexity and miniaturization: complex shapes, articulations and miniaturized geometries of implantable medical devices and instruments have the potential to radically enhance treatment effectiveness and post-treatment recovery;
- Streamlined care: the ability to integrate diagnosis, design and manufacturing of 3DP medical devices into a validated software platform is the key to delivering fast, affordable treatments with dramatic life-saving potential.
Overall objective
Main outputs
Cross border approach
Main Achievements
3D printing technologies carry the promise of revolutionizing the quality and efficiency of healthcare. However, the required technologies, even when available, are currently too fragmented to be integrated into routine, affordable and streamlined solutions that can benefit a large number of patients.
The 3DMed consortium was organized to make joint efforts to change the situation and advance the state of the art. The project aims to improve affordability and large-scale accessibility of medical treatment using 3D printed devices. This aim is now being achieved by increasing the technology readiness level (TRL) of the state-of-the-art 3D printing technologies for medical applications and integrating them into a streamlined, fast, cost-effective software platform for use in routine clinical practice.
The three main objectives being achieved are: (i) streamlining and integration: to streamline the various steps of the 3D manufacturing process and integrate the data flows with pre-planning and post-operatory evaluation; (ii) technology development: to advance the TRL of metallic, composite and polymeric 3D printed medical devices; (iii) validation: to demonstrate the superior performance and ascertain the clinical benefits of the 3D printed medical devices developed in 3DMed.
In 2020, Milestone #2 review report with 4 annexes was completed. Despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the project has progressed reasonably well. 20 deliverable reports have been completed, while 4 deliverable reports are delayed. Four outputs (data transfer protocols, software platform, six demonstrators and two clinical trials) are not scheduled for 2020. The delivery month of one output (O3: functionalised, 3D printable implants) was illogically set in the AF, as reported in Milestone #2 review report, and are being adjusted through technical modification #3. Six demonstrators, i.e., (i) transtibial socket, (ii) scoliosis brace, (iii) hand brace, (vi) cast replacement, (v) trocar and (vi) vitrectome, are prepared for trials in a clinical setting.