Materialise Technology Converts 2-D X-Rays Into 3-D Prints

Materialise N.V. has developed new technology that can convert two-dimensional X-ray images into 3-D information and the company already has used the breakthrough to print a sugical guide for a knee replacement patient.

Materialise previously has developed software that can create 3-D models using 3-D data captured from computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. In the past, these models then could be used to 3-D print patient-specific surgical guides for knee surgeries, but due to the time and cost of undergoing CT and MRI scans, such 3-D printed guides only were used in a fraction of the total knee replacement surgeries. With Materialise’s new proprietary technology, it’s now possible for the firm to print 3-D patient-specific surgical guides with only two-dimensional X-ray images.

Roger Jaeken, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at the AZ Heilige Familie (Holy Family General Hospital) in Reet, Belgium, performed complete knee replacement surgery using the process. By creating 3-D models from X-rays, Jaeken not only was able to pre-plan the surgery, but also to 3-D print surgical guides for the procedure, as well.

“I’m very excited to be part of this project,” Jaeken said. “The ability to work from X-ray images will make the surgical preplanning process even more efficient. This is because, in many instances, patients will no longer have to undergo an often time-consuming CT or MRI scan, lead times will become shorter, and more cases will become eligible for preoperative planning.”

Jaeken contends Materialise’s technology could change the way surgical guides are made and implant surgery is conducted, as it reduces the need to use CT and MRI scans in favor of the more affordable, easier to implement X-ray technology. The company will evaluate the technology further with a limited European release. Once it’s tested there, Materialise hopes to bring it to the United States for regulatory clearance.

“At Materialise, we initiated the R&D program that is at the source of our new X-ray based technology shortly after the successful introduction of our CT/MRI based guide technology,” said Materialise CEO Fried Vancraen. “We consider the first treatment of a patient with our X-ray technology as an important landmark in this development program.”