Invent Medical’s Vision: Transforming O&P with Patient-Specific 3D Printed Solutions

Since its inception in 2010, Invent Medical has been a trailblazer in the orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) industry, leveraging the power of innovation and a new generation of 3D printed products to empower medical professionals. The company’s foundation rests on an impressive 25 years of deep technical and clinical experience in the field, giving its team unparalleled insight into the challenges and limitations that have long plagued traditional O&P solutions. This firsthand understanding of existing problems fuels their commitment to an open-minded approach, enthusiastically embracing novel ideas to propel the industry forward and continuously enhance the quality and efficacy of the products they deliver. We recently had the privilege of interviewing one of Invent Medical’s esteemed co-founders to delve into their groundbreaking work and their ingenious application of digital technology in the invention, development, and design of their meticulously custom-made O&P products.

Meet Invent Medical: Pioneers in Biotechnological Innovation

Jan Rosicky, a dynamic co-founder of Invent Medical, introduces the company as a biotechnology start-up with a formidable mission. Originating as a visionary spin-off from ING Corporation – a highly successful orthotic and prosthetic company with over two and a half decades of market leadership – Invent Medical is poised to revolutionize the global medical industry. Their core strategy involves introducing a new generation of advanced 3D printed orthotic and prosthetic products and streamlined processes. This innovative approach aims not only to simplify the demanding work of medical specialists but, more importantly, to significantly improve the lives and mobility of patients worldwide.

The strength of Invent Medical lies in its remarkably diverse and multi-disciplinary team. This collaborative powerhouse comprises seasoned medical specialists, creative designers, skilled software developers, cutting-edge digital technology experts, and brilliant engineers. This unique synergy of expertise allows them to tackle complex challenges from multiple perspectives, fostering an environment where innovation thrives and practical solutions emerge. The company firmly believes that the future of O&P is inherently digital. With industry projections suggesting that an astonishing one-third of all patient-specific O&P products will be 3D printed by 2027, Invent Medical is strategically positioned to become the undisputed global leader in patient-specific O&P. They aim to achieve this ambitious goal by relentlessly innovating products, refining processes, and pioneering a transformative new business model that reshapes how medical devices are conceived, manufactured, and delivered.

Introducing the Invent Medical Digital Platform: Empowering Clinicians with 3D Printing

One of Invent Medical’s most significant achievements is the creation of its groundbreaking Digital Platform, designed specifically to democratize access to 3D printing for all clinicians and medical specialists, regardless of their prior experience with additive manufacturing. The platform offers the most accessible and intuitive pathway to integrating 3D printing into clinical practice. At its core is a free, interactive configuration software that empowers medical professionals to visually design and directly order high-quality, patient-specific devices with unprecedented ease. This user-friendly interface removes the complexity traditionally associated with custom medical device design, making advanced manufacturing capabilities available to a broader spectrum of healthcare providers.

The ultimate aspiration for this platform is to provide patients with an experience that feels truly revolutionary, akin to stepping into a different century of medical care. By enabling clinicians to effortlessly design advanced, perfectly-fitting medical wearables, the platform directly translates to superior treatment outcomes and an elevated quality of service for patients. The inherent challenge with patient-specific products has always been ensuring an immaculate fit, a factor critical for both comfort and therapeutic effectiveness. To address this formidable hurdle, Invent Medical has integrated state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI), sophisticated machine learning algorithms, and advanced computational techniques. These powerful tools automate the entire design process, drawing upon precise anatomical data obtained from 3D scans, comprehensive diagnostic information, and crucial input from the clinician. This intelligent automation dramatically reduces the design time from what traditionally took hours to mere minutes, concurrently driving down production costs significantly, making advanced personalized care more accessible and affordable.

The Indispensable Role of Additive Manufacturing in O&P

Invent Medical’s decision to embrace additive manufacturing for O&P products stems from a quarter-century of invaluable technical and clinical experience. This extensive background provided a front-row seat to the numerous drawbacks and inherent limitations of conventional O&P product manufacturing. Traditional methods often impose restrictions on design, material use, and customization, leading to devices that can be bulky, uncomfortable, or aesthetically unappealing for patients. Recognizing these constraints, the team began experimenting with 3D printing as early as 2010. What they discovered was transformative: 3D printing possessed the unique ability to dismantle these limitations, opening up a world of possibilities for innovation in medical device design.

The unparalleled design freedom afforded by additive manufacturing empowers Invent Medical to create advanced products that are fundamentally superior. These devices are not only significantly lighter and more comfortable but also aesthetically pleasing, enhancing patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment. This digital fabrication method also overcomes geographical barriers; since products are designed using digital data, they can be produced anywhere, enabling Invent Medical to offer its cutting-edge solutions on a global scale. For Invent Medical, 3D printing is not merely a manufacturing technique; it is a truly ground-breaking technology that underpins all the innovations they are currently pursuing. They have meticulously reinvented their entire product portfolio to fully harness every benefit that 3D printing technology offers, from intricate geometries to personalized material properties. Furthermore, with the cost of 3D printing becoming progressively more affordable each year, this technology is rapidly becoming an essential component for any company aspiring to remain competitive and relevant in the future of the medical device industry.

Invent Medical’s Visionary Future: Expanding Product Lines and Collaborations

This year marked a significant milestone for Invent Medical with the successful introduction of their first three product lines at the prestigious OT World exhibition in Leipzig. The reception was overwhelmingly positive, garnering praise from both large clinic chains and smaller private practices, underscoring the universal appeal and necessity of their innovative solutions. Building on this momentum, Invent Medical has a clear roadmap for future product launches. Orthotic insoles, meticulously designed for enhanced comfort and support, are slated for release in September. December will see the launch of advanced Cranial Remoulding Orthoses, crucial for infants requiring precise head shape correction. Following this, the first quarter of 2019 will introduce specialized Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFOs) specifically tailored for children suffering from Cerebral Palsy, promising improved mobility and quality of life.

Beyond these immediate launches, Invent Medical is actively engaged in developing an array of additional product lines, which will be continually rolled out to meet evolving patient needs. These exciting developments include highly customized facial sport masks designed for superior protection and fit, specialized unloading foot orthoses for diabetic patients to prevent complications, advanced prosthetic sockets offering improved comfort and integration, and innovative partial-foot amputation prostheses. The company’s overarching ambition is to develop all major O&P products that stand to benefit significantly from the precision, customization, and material advantages afforded by 3D printing. In a spirit of collaborative innovation, Invent Medical extends an open invitation to other O&P companies, encouraging them to join forces in this transformative journey to co-develop and collectively advance the next generation of medical products, ensuring that the benefits of additive manufacturing reach as many patients as possible.

The Future Landscape of Additive Manufacturing in Healthcare

The integration of additive manufacturing into the medical sector is not merely a futuristic concept; it is a rapidly expanding reality. Currently, an estimated 3,500 medical products are 3D printed every single day, with prominent examples including highly customized hearing aids, precision dental implants, and life-saving stents. This figure is a testament to the technology’s established efficacy and growing adoption. It is unequivocally clear that 3D printing is poised to become the leading manufacturing technology for patient-specific, advanced medical products across a broad spectrum of applications. As the cost of 3D printing technology continues its downward trend in the coming years, we can anticipate a dramatic surge in the availability and affordability of patient-specific medical wearables. This trend is undeniable and irreversible. The adoption of 3D printing within the medical field is projected to become massive in the years ahead, driving unprecedented advancements in personalized healthcare. The implications for the quality of life of patients, through improved comfort, fit, and functionality, and for treatment outcomes, through greater precision and effectiveness, will be nothing short of immense and transformative.

A Holistic Approach to 3D Printing Adoption

For those contemplating the adoption of 3D printing in their practice or business, Invent Medical offers a crucial piece of advice: remember that 3D printing, while powerful, is not a definitive, standalone solution. Rather, it serves as an incredibly versatile tool that must be synergistically combined with a thoroughly reimagined product design philosophy and optimized operational processes. While 3D printing excels at removing certain friction points and bottlenecks inherent in traditional manufacturing – such as limitations on design complexity or tooling costs – it simultaneously introduces new challenges. Foremost among these is the intricate task of efficiently designing a complex, custom product for every single patient. If these new issues are not addressed efficiently and systematically, the benefits of 3D printing will provide little to no added value to both the provider and, crucially, to the end-users – the patients.

This profound understanding is precisely why Invent Medical has heavily invested in automating its entire design process. By doing so, they have not only streamlined production but also significantly mitigated the complexities associated with mass customization. Furthermore, by opening their sophisticated digital platform to all clinicians, Invent Medical ensures that medical professionals can fully benefit from an end-to-end solution. This comprehensive approach encompasses everything from intuitive design and precise digital manufacturing to the delivery of superior patient-specific O&P devices. Their commitment to this integrated philosophy ensures that the transformative potential of 3D printing is fully realized, delivering tangible improvements in patient care and operational efficiency. What are your thoughts on Invent Medical and their innovative Digital Platform? We invite you to share your insights in the commentary section or engage with us on our Facebook and Twitter pages! For the latest updates and breaking news in the world of 3D printing, don’t forget to subscribe to our free weekly Newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.