AdventHealth Nicholson Center, a Florida-based medical training facility, has launched its Prototype Lab to enable the development of medical devices using additive manufacturing technology.
As an innovative space for healthcare professionals, the Prototype Lab will provide CAD modeling and 3D printing to develop, test and refine inventions to improve clinical care. Jodi Fails, B.S., Biomedical Engineer, and Prototype Lab lead at AdventHealth Nicholson Center explained:
“Our expert team can help bring an idea from ‘napkin sketch’ to reality, and our 3D printing capabilities allow inventors to hold an actual version of their device in their hands for evaluation.”
“Most product developers assist with creation but have to look externally for lab testing. However, with Nicholson Center’s Prototype Lab, we have the unique ability to take inventions straight from the printer to the lab for immediate testing on high-quality tissue.”
The Prototype Lab
Founded in 2002, AdventHealth Nicholson Center has trained over 50,000 physicians worldwide. For the creation of personalized medical devices, the newly established Prototype Lab aims to take an initial concept and complete a preliminary art and patent. A 3D model is then created and the final design is selected for production on an in-house Objet 350 Connex3 polyjet 3D printer from Stratasys.
The device is subject to immediate testing on tissue, which can also contribute to its validation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Moreover, the lab is developing specialized educational training devices for courses to teach specific procedures.
“Beyond the technology and testing capabilities at Nicholson Center, our experts bring the pivotal industry knowledge that is so crucial to the early stages of product development,” stated Lilly Graziani, Director of Corporate Development at AdventHealth Nicholson Center.
“With a key balance of tradition and innovation, our engineers, physicians and clinical staff work with inventors to create a product that will reach the medical community’s ultimate goal: improving patient outcomes.”
3D printing medical labs
Medical institutes have been leveraging additive manufacturing for pre-surgical guidance and training purposes. Earlier this year, axial3D, a medical manufacturing service provider headquartered in Northern Ireland, is providing Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with an on-site 3D printing lab. Located at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, one of six potential beneficiaries of the facility, the lab will be used to produced patient-specific models for pre-surgical planning.
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Featured image shows a 3D printed anatomical heart model. Photo via AdventHealth Nicholson Center.