In the realm of medical additive manufacturing, the print head plays a crucial role alongside biocompatible materials and regulatory considerations. The print head must not only deliver precision but also be sterilizable to ensure the safety of patient-specific solutions. Recognizing this necessity, ViscoTec Pumpen- u. Dosiertechnik GmbH has introduced the medical-grade series of their vipro-HEAD print heads, designed specifically for the medical technology market.
These toolheads feature product-contact surfaces constructed from stainless steel or FDA-certified elastomers and plastics. They offer an autoclavable variant capable of withstanding sterilization at 121°C, which helps prevent cross-contamination. An important aspect of these print heads is their versatility; they can be attached to nearly any 3D printer, facilitating seamless integration into clinical workflows.
The vipro-HEAD medical series encompasses several models:
- vipro-HEAD 3 and vipro-HEAD 5
- vipro-HEAD 5/5 for dual-component applications
- vipro-HEAD 5 with a heating function available in both standard (up to 70 °C) and high-temperature (up to 110 °C) variants
These print heads can produce high-resolution outputs with line widths ranging from 100 to 150 µm. For single-component applications, they offer a maximum volume flow of 6 ml/min, while the two-component versions can manage up to 12 ml/min, ensuring both precision and efficiency in applications requiring intricate details.
The introduction of these advanced print heads opens new avenues for a variety of patient-specific applications. They can handle critical medical materials such as hydrogels, silicones, polycaprolactones, and ceramics, making them suitable for creating:
- Absorbable implants like bone or breast implants
- Flexible implants, such as silicone vascular structures
- 3D-printed tablets for customized drug release
- Prototypes and wearables for medical devices
For instance, 3Deus Dynamics in Lyon, France employs the vipro-HEAD to create realistic anatomical models, facilitating surgical training and planning while reducing reliance on animal models and cadavers. Another company, Healshape, utilizes these print heads to produce hydrogel-based and resorbable breast implants, personalized to each patient and designed to regenerate through natural tissue after implantation.
Johanna Bruckhuber, Business Development Manager at ViscoTec, articulated the significance of the vipro-HEAD medical series in advancing medical technology. She noted that it allows for the realization of patient-specific solutions ranging from implants to individualized medications, marking a significant step towards the future of medicine.
The precision and reliability of ViscoTec’s medical-grade vipro-HEAD print heads are paving the way for enhanced patient-specific medical solutions, reinforcing the important role of additive manufacturing in healthcare.
To discover more about the vipro-HEAD medical series, visit ViscoTec.