ODT’s Most-Read Stories This Week—March 18

3D printing in orthopedics dominated ODT website traffic this past week.

A March/April print issue column and feature story on the subject captivated cybervisitors’ interest. An R&D engineer from EOS North America explained the ways 3D printing—a.k.a., additive manufacturing (AM)—combats the fragmented supply chain and reverses outsourcing mistakes that are now negatively impacting U.S.-based healthcare organizations. “…the number of medical items in shortage is around five times higher than pre-pandemic levels,” writes Mahemaa Rajasekaran. “A partial solution for these shortages is additive manufacturing—which can deliver on-demand, cost-effective, locally produced applications that can be ‘one of many’ (mass production) or ‘one of one’ (mass customization).”

The magazine’s full feature on 3D printing details the different software, AM machines, and materials used to create 3D-printed implants and instruments. “In software, there have been advancements in developing algorithms to help the segmentation phase, accelerating the creation of 3D models from diagnostic images. Software has also been developed to help design complex shapes to accommodate personalized anatomy,” Francesco Robotti, technology business development manager at Lincotek Medical, noted in the feature. “Other software is helping design porous-lattice structures, simplifying the computational work for the benefits of faster design and faster printing execution.”    

Besides 3D printing, website tourists also favored Editor Sean Fenske’s commentary about more natural, biologics-based treatments for orthopedic conditions. He provides a few examples of natural healing solutions and advocates for such advancements becoming more standard options for patients.

Other site traffic drivers this past week included Woven Orthopedic Technologies’ FDA 510(k) clearance for its Ogmend implant enhancement system for use in spine surgery, and SMADE’s smart tracking technology for optimized visibility on medical device location and activity 

1. How 3D Printing is Impacting the Orthopedic Industry

2. Orthopedic Implants Are Fit to Print

3. Woven Orthopedics’ Ogmend Implant Enhancement Ok’ed for Spine Surgery

4. A More Natural Future Using Biologics?

5. SMADE Tracking Technology Keeps Tabs on Medical Devices