Mighty Oak Medical, a renowned company specializing in the development and commercialization of spinal technologies, has recently announced a significant technical partnership with HP, a leader in the field of 3D printing. This collaboration aims to leverage HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 3D printers for the production of innovative healthcare applications. The partnership is set to revolutionize the medical industry by introducing 3D printed medical devices that enhance precision, safety, and patient care.
Streamlining Pre-Surgical Planning: The FIREFLY Solution
FIREFLY: A Game-Changing Technology
Mighty Oak’s flagship product, FIREFLY, is a patient-specific pre-surgical planning and navigation platform that has gained FDA clearance and CE-mark. The solution is designed to address the challenges commonly encountered in spinal fusion surgery, offering surgeons unparalleled precision and efficiency.
Unleashing the Power of 3D Technology
By utilizing 3D rendering of patients’ spines, FIREFLY provides surgeons with accurate millimetre-level planning. The 3D printed anatomical models and disposable guides enable surgeons to perform procedures such as drilling, tapping, and screw placement with utmost precision and safety. This groundbreaking technology ensures successful outcomes and reduces stress for both surgeons and patients.
The Role of HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 3D Printers
Mighty Oak Medical’s technical partnership with HP brings the advanced capabilities of HP’s industrial Multi Jet Fusion technology to the FIREFLY platform. The collaboration enables streamlining and reduces printing turnaround time, allowing for a more efficient and personalized approach to patient care. With the integration of HP’s cutting-edge 3D printing technology, FIREFLY can now cater to a larger number of patients, significantly enhancing the level of personalized care provided.
Expertise and Innovation Driving Transformation
Empowering Safer Surgical Procedures
Heidi Frey, President at Mighty Oak Medical, emphasizes the company’s unwavering commitment to developing innovative solutions that enhance the safety and efficiency of surgical procedures. Mighty Oak recognizes the immense potential of 3D printed patient-specific solutions in achieving these objectives. With the support of HP’s 3D printing technology, the healthcare industry is undergoing a transformative shift in terms of solutions, patient experience, and improved outcomes.
Addressing Challenges in Spinal Fusion Surgery
Spinal fusions, commonly performed to treat fractures, deformities, and spinal instability, involve the use of pedicle screws to provide additional strength and support. However, accurate screw placement is critical, as misplaced screws can lead to severe injuries, including spinal cord damage. While robotic solutions exist to mitigate the risks associated with manual screw insertion, they come with high costs and a steep learning curve. Mighty Oak’s extensive expertise in 3D printing technology has resulted in the development of the FIREFLY complete navigation system. This innovative system streamlines the surgeon’s workflow and significantly reduces screw placement time.
Unprecedented Efficiencies and Enhanced Accuracy
Mighty Oak Medical has integrated HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 printers directly into its factory floor, resulting in unparalleled efficiencies. The utilization of these cutting-edge printers has improved replicability and consistency in pedicle screw placement, achieving an impressive 99.7% accuracy rate. The use of patient-specific guides eliminates intra-operative radiation exposure for both surgical staff and patients. Furthermore, it reduces maintenance costs and technician expenses associated with alternative solutions.
HP and Mighty Oak: Pioneering the Future of Medical Devices
Leading the Way in Advanced Medical Solutions
Greg Elfering, Head of Americas Go-to-Market at HP Personalisation & 3D Printing, acknowledges Mighty Oak’s pivotal role in driving advancements within the medical device and orthopedic industry through their FIREFLY solution. The partnership between Mighty Oak and HP showcases the power of innovation in positively impacting patients and transforming the healthcare industry. By minimizing costs, enabling personalization, and enhancing efficiency and accuracy of care, this collaboration is poised to revolutionize patient outcomes.
FAQs
FAQ 1: How does FIREFLY contribute to safer spinal fusion surgeries?
FIREFLY utilizes 3D printed anatomical models and disposable guides to assist surgeons in performing spinal fusion surgeries with precision and safety. This technology minimizes the risk of errors and ensures accurate screw placement, thereby enhancing the safety of the procedure.
FAQ 2: What advantages does HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 3D printing technology offer?
HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 3D printers bring unmatched capabilities to the healthcare industry. These printers streamline the production process, reducing printing turnaround time. By leveraging HP’s advanced technology, Mighty Oak Medical can provide a higher level of personalized care to a larger number of patients.
FAQ 3: How does FIREFLY’s patient-specific planning benefit surgeons?
FIREFLY allows surgeons to plan surgical procedures with millimetre-level accuracy based on virtual renderings of patients’ spines. This patient-specific planning enables surgeons to approach surgeries with greater precision, resulting in improved outcomes and reduced surgical stress.
FAQ 4: Are there any risks associated with freehand pedicle screw insertion?
Yes, freehand pedicle screw insertion can pose risks if screws are inaccurately placed. Misplaced screws can cause severe injuries, including damage to the spinal cord. However, by utilizing the FIREFLY navigation system, surgeons can significantly mitigate these risks and improve patient safety.
FAQ 5: How does Mighty Oak Medical’s partnership with HP benefit the healthcare industry?
The collaboration between Mighty Oak Medical and HP brings together their respective expertise to drive innovation in the healthcare industry. By combining Mighty Oak’s extensive knowledge in spinal technologies with HP’s advanced 3D printing solutions, the partnership aims to enhance patient care, improve surgical outcomes, and revolutionize medical device manufacturing.
FAQ 6: What are the advantages of 3D printed patient-specific guides?
3D printed patient-specific guides offer numerous advantages. They provide accurate and personalized assistance to surgeons during procedures, reduce radiation exposure, improve efficiency, and contribute to cost savings. These guides represent a significant advancement in surgical technology, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers.
Conclusion
Mighty Oak Medical’s technical partnership with HP signifies a significant milestone in the advancement of healthcare applications. Through their collaboration, they are pioneering the use of 3D printing technology to enhance precision, safety, and patient care in spinal fusion surgeries. The FIREFLY solution, coupled with HP’s cutting-edge Jet Fusion 5200 printers, streamlines surgical workflows and delivers unprecedented efficiencies. This collaboration stands as a testament to the power of innovation in transforming the healthcare industry and positively impacting patient outcomes.