Qwadra, the digital division of Eqwal and a global provider of digital solutions in the orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) sector, has formed a strategic partnership with Denmark-based Create it REAL, known for its advanced 3D printing technologies. The collaboration involves incorporating Create it REAL’s multi-patented Programmable Foam technology into Qwadra’s Sona Flex and Sona Edge 3D printers. This integration is expected to enable healthcare professionals to produce custom orthopedic devices with greater precision, speed, and material efficiency.
The Sona Edge printer is designed to manage varying zones of rigidity and flexibility within orthopedic corsets, allowing for a more personalized fit. By utilizing Programmable Foam technology, clinicians can tailor devices to meet specific patient needs, potentially improving therapeutic outcomes. Luc Boronat, CEO of Qwadra, stated, “This partnership with Create it REAL reinforces our position as a leader in 3D printing innovation for the orthotics sector. The ability to manage rigidity and density in Sona Edge and Sona Flex allows practitioners to produce custom orthopedic devices that maximize both comfort and therapeutic effectiveness while reducing waste.”
Create it REAL’s CEO, Jacob Nissen, highlighted the environmental benefits: “We are on a digitalization journey with a higher goal of making the future greener. The partnership with Qwadra is a major step in integrating CAD systems with advanced 3D printing technologies, enabling sustainable production and reduction of the carbon footprint in the healthcare industry.”
Beyond improving patient comfort, the partnership focuses on responsible resource use. The new production methods aim to reduce material waste significantly and support recycling initiatives, contributing to a more circular economy. The Sona Flex printer allows practitioners to manage a wide range of foam densities, providing a balance between orthopedic correction and patient comfort. Both platforms are set to evolve in the coming months, offering expanded capabilities for designing and producing orthopedic devices.
3D Printing in Healthcare
In October 2024, U.S.-based 3D printer manufacturer 3D Systems received 510(k) clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its multi-material, 3D printed denture offering. This approval allows the company to commercialize its monolithic (one-piece) dentures that integrate NextDent Jet Denture Teeth and NextDent Jet Denture Base materials into a single solution. Produced using the company’s MultiJet Printing (MJP) technology, the dentures aim to offer enhanced break resistance and improved aesthetics; The denture market is projected to exceed $2 billion by 2028. Restorative dental device manufacturer Glidewell has begun integrating 3D Systems’ FDA-cleared denture capabilities into its production workflow.
Elsewhere, biotechnology company Frontier Bio reported progress in developing lab-grown lung tissue by combining bioprinting with the self-organizing properties of stem cells. This advancement focuses on creating microscale lung tissue that could impact treatments for respiratory diseases and future organ transplantation. Traditional animal models often fail to replicate the complexity of human biology, leading to unreliable trial results. Frontier Bio’s lab-grown tissue presents an alternative that may better align with human physiological responses, potentially improving clinical trial success rates.
The engineered tissue mimics essential lung structures such as bronchioles and alveolar sacs, and it can produce mucus and surfactant, closely replicating vital lung functions. With over 34 million people facing chronic lung diseases, this development holds promise for generating lung tissue for transplants and advancing respiratory treatments.
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Featured images showcase the Sona Edge printing an orthopedic corset, Qwadra X Create it REAL Collaboration and lung tissue. Photos and images via Qwadra & Frontier Bio.
