When a tendon or ligament tears, surgical intervention is necessary to reconnect the soft tissue to the bone using suture anchors. Usually, these anchors are made from processed titanium, which provides corrosion resistance and biocompatibility but is expensive. Oxford Performance Materials (OPM) 3D prints them using a thermoplastic material called polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), utilizing selective laser sintering (SLS). Advantages? Numerous. How about a production cost that can decrease by up to 10% compared to conventional titanium?
But this is just the beginning.
The 3D printing manufacturing process allows for the production of anchors in large batches and in different sizes simultaneously, thus reducing costs and production time. This aspect opens up the possibility of access to these high-quality and efficient surgical devices for a broader range of patients and surgeons.
Furthermore, in addition to having similar rigidity to human bone and good osteointegration potential due to the material used, 3D-printed anchors do not allow the formation of a bacterial film, thus reducing the risk of postoperative infections. This is particularly important in surgical interventions where maintaining a sterile area is crucial for patient recovery.
By integrating 3D printing technology into the manufacturing of suture anchors, new perspectives are opening up in the field of surgery, optimizing patient outcomes.
Find out more from this scientific article .