NuVasive prints 3D implants for the spine

Implant manufacturing has never been so fast: thanks to 3D printing, the creation of medical devices is simpler and more patient-friendly. NuVasive has also turned to 3D technologies and specialised in the creation of spinal implants. Today she is looking to transform spine surgery by offering 3D titanium implants, clinically tested and adapted to the morphology of each patient. We met Shaeffer Bannigan, Development Manager at NuVasive to learn more about the process of creating an implant and its vision of the market.

3DN: Can you introduce yourself and your link with additive manufacturing?

My name is Shaeffer Bannigan and I’m the development manager of NuVasive’s Advanced Materials Science Interbody team. A leader in its field, the company focuses on technological innovation and today seeks to transform spinal surgery through integrated solutions. Our team focuses specifically on additive manufacturing for the development of cross-body spine implants and the surgical instrumentation used to implement them.

The NuVasive Advanced Materials Science Interbody Team

3DN: Can you tell us more about the process of manufacturing a 3D printed implant?

The manufacturing process at NuVasive begins with a powdered titanium alloy. Once the powder is spread flat on the printing plate in a very thin layer, which can be as thin as a human hair, a high energy laser quickly melts the powder into specified shapes according to the design of the implant. When this layer is finished, more powder is spread over the top and the process is repeated, welding the layers from below to each new layer, thus making it possible to build complex structures with a single internal geometry from the base. A single impression, consisting of 50 to 100 implants, can take several days. However,