Our Innovation Analysts recently looked into emerging technologies and up-and-coming startups working on solutions for the healthcare sector. As there is a large number of startups working on a wide variety of solutions, we decided to share our insights with you. This time, we are taking a look at 5 promising additive manufacturing startups impacting medical care.
Heat Map: 5 Top Additive Manufacturing Startups Impacting The Medical Sector
Using our StartUs Insights Platform, covering 1.116.000+ startups & emerging companies, we looked at innovation in the field of additive manufacturing solutions for the medical sector. For this research, we identified 898 relevant solutions and picked 5 to showcase below. These companies were chosen based on a data-driven startup scouting approach, taking into account factors such as location, founding year, and technology among others. Depending on your specific criteria, the top picks might look entirely different.
The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights 5 startups & emerging companies developing additive manufacturing solutions. Moreover, the Heat Map reveals regions that observe a high startup activity and illustrates the geographic distribution of all 898 companies we analyzed for this specific topic.
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Flexadyne – Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Braces
Athletes suffering from anterior cruciate ligament tears use medical braces for their recovery. Combining computer-aided design (CAD) software and the physician’s recommendations, startups 3D print ACL braces. As a result, this creates an exact match to the patient’s requirement in terms of fit, size, durability, and comfort at a reduced cost compared to an orthodox AL brace.
Flexadyne, a US-based startup, offers a custom made 3D printed ACL brace. The startup uses proprietary 3D imaging technology combined with the direct healthcare provider’s assessment to print an ACL brace. This brace also supports bilateral movement, cushions intense impacts, and improves the functionality of the knee enabling athletes to perform better.
Addidream – Surgical Tools & Medical Guides
Hospitals use many surgical tools on an everyday basis. Before and after a procedure, sterilizing the tools is an operationally tedious task. Single-use 3D printed surgical tools help hospitals reduce operational costs, save time as well as efforts.
Addidream, a French startup, provides 3D printed surgical tools, medical guides that are custom-made to be lighter and smaller without compromising the ability to perform surgical gestures. As a result, hospitals save on inventory space and eliminate sterilization of the tools pre- and post-procedure.
Osteo3d – Medical Models For Surgical Planning
Complicated surgical procedures require process planning. By practicing on models, doctors and nurses improve the efficiency with which they conduct procedures. Patient-specific 3D printed models also help medical professionals increase turnaround cycles in hospitals.
Osteo3d, an Indian startup, provides custom 3D printed medical models for surgical planning for medical professionals. The products range from 3D printed organs to bones and anatomical structures (cranial brace) depending on the requirement. This helps surgeons to minimize the risk of error and maximize success while performing the actual procedure.
Synergy 3DMed – Spinal Implants
The nervous system links with the spine, which makes surgical procedures in this area extremely complex. Scoliosis, for example, is a condition that affects the spine’s curvature in varying intensities. Surgical implants help treat severe scoliosis of the spine to correct the curvature as much as possible. Moreover, 3D printing spinal implants helps surgeons suggest any corrections to the implant if necessary in terms of surgical functionality to improve clinical output.
The Israeli startup Synergy 3DMed creates 3D printed implant solutions for medical professionals to be used in spinal surgeries. 3D models help surgeons plan for procedures by translating CT or MRI scans in 3D. Based on the surgeon’s feedback, the startup 3D prints a model of the implant along with the specific bone. The implant is then surgically put in place, thus improving precision and reducing operating time.
Instalimb – 3D Printed Prosthetics
Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) enables specialists to utilize the prosthetists’ skills inside the hospital to design and create a 3D printed prosthetic on a specialized 3D printer. This reduces the time it takes to order, manufacture, and deliver the prosthetic to the patient. Moreover, the advantages of 3D printed prosthetics include customized fit, comfort, aesthetics, and affordability.
Instalimb, a Japanese startup, offers a complete 3D printing solution to hospitals and clinics. Coupled with the specialized CAD software and a 3D printer, the hospitals custom make their prosthetics, in house, based on the patient requirement. As a result, the amputee gains access to prosthetics and improves their quality of life.
What About The Other 893 Solutions?
While we believe data is key to creating insights it can be easy to be overwhelmed by it. Our ambition is to create a comprehensive overview and provide actionable innovation intelligence so you can achieve your goals faster. The 5 additive manufacturing startups showcased above are promising examples out of 898 we analyzed for this article. To identify the most relevant solutions based on your specific criteria, get in touch.
