Dr. med. Stephan F. Schindele, Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland: "The 3-dimensional reconstruction of fractures of the forearm that have healed in a deformed position has meanwhile proven its worth at various centers and good results have been reported in the literature for this still young technique to this day. This technique increases the precision of the correction on the one hand and shortens the duration of the operation on the other hand. Especially in complex reconstructions with rotational malpositions the use of this technique is indispensable. The fixation of the correction with an individual implant also in many cases does justice to the individual anatomy in each case."

Selective Lasermelting

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a 3D printing process in the context of a generative manufacturing process.
Titanium powder is fed from a high pressure chamber into a working chamber via a scraper or roller. A laser beam is reflected into the working chamber with a mirror where it falls on the titanium powder. The impact of the laser beam melts the powder (hence the term laser melting) and compresses it. Once the laser has processed one working plane, the working platform (table) is lowered and a new layer of titanium powder is applied. Thus the workpiece is manufactured layer after layer. As the performance density of the laser is extremely high, this leads to highly compressed three-dimensional workpieces.
This manufacturing process allows the fabrication of patient-specific implants from additive manufactured titanium.
 

Selective laser sintering and stereolithography

Selective laser sintering and stereolithography also count as generative manufacturing processes. Selective laser sintering (SLS) follows the same functional principle as selective laser melting, the difference being that the starting materials used are all materials with thermoplastic properties. Resin powder (e.g. polyamide (PA)) is a frequently used material. Drill and marking guides or anatomical models are manufactured using this method.

In stereolithography (SLA), the workpiece is positioned in a photopolymer liquid bath (e.g. epoxy resin) in which it is slowly immersed deeper and deeper. During each step a laser passes over the starting material to harden it in thin layers in order to create the desired shape.

The stereolithography process is the 3D printing process which has so far been in use the longest, so that a considerable amount of experience has been gained. In general this method is used for fabricating anatomical models.

1. Case creation in the IPS Gate®

To create a case, patient data and patient scans are uploaded to the IPS Gate®.

2. Planning phase

During the planning phase, planning meetings are arranged with you and our IPS® Designer. All important data concerning the case are summarized in a case-specific documentation.

3. Release

If the design meets your requirements, you can release the design digitally for production directly via the IPS Gate®. Simultaneously, you will receive the commercial offer and confirm it by sending the order.

4. Production

As soon as the approval has been obtained, production of the IPS Implants® starts using the latest manufacturing technologies.

5. Shipment

The IPS® products are sent to you. The total processing times vary depending on the indication. You can find more detailed information on the processing times here.