3D Systems Corporation announced a patient-specific 3D-printed cranial implant produced using its point-of-care technologies was successfully used in a cranioplasty at the University Hospital Basel (Swiss MAM). 3D Systems' extrusion printing technology is unique as its architecture and design are easy to use to produce durable, biocompatible implants using Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material. 3D Systems' point-of-care solution was also successfully used by a team at Salzburg University Hospital, Department of Oromaxillofacial Surgery, to produce a patient-specific cranial implant for a 55-year-old male, Mr. Rainer Trummer, who suffered from craniosynostosis (i.e., one of the cranial bones ossified too early during childhood, resulting in a deformation of the skull).

These technologies were brought together by the hospital's in-house clinicians to successfully address the patient's needs, providing a customized solution that best positioned the team for success. The hospital used Oqton's D2P(R) software to create 3D models from the patient's CT images and Oqton's Geomagic Freeform(R) to complete the design of the patient-specific occipital prosthesis. The cranial implant was printed using VESTAKEEP(R) i4 3DF PEEK by Evonik on 3D Systems' EXT 220 MED extrusion platform.

The solution has also been successfully deployed at the Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Salzburg, for patient-specific implants after decompressive craniectomy, which is regularly performed for aggressive brain swelling. According to a report released by Acumen Research and Consulting in February 2023, the cranial implants market size in 2021 was roughly $1.2 billion and is anticipated to approach $2.1 billion by 2030. Cranial implants can address a breadth of applications including trauma, defects, and reconstruction.

The continued innovation in materials and manufacturing methodologies such as 3D printing are expected to enable new solutions to catalyze growth in this market.