Copy to clipboard 
Orthopaedic applications are one of the most dynamic segments of healthcare additive manufacturing with almost 20% growth per year, rivaling the rapid market adoption seen in orthopedic robotics.
With over 100 medical devices already FDA-cleared, the global 3D printing medical device market is projected to reach nearly $8 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 16.1%.
The global medical device market is trending toward increased use of additive manufacturing, in part due to the rising demand for personalized medical devices and the increased need to manufacture complex designs.
Embracing Additive Manufacturing is Now Essential
As the orthopedic market continues to grow, embracing additive manufacturing is becoming essential for manufacturers who seek to stay competitive. The benefits of 3D printing, including speed to market, design freedom, and waste reduction, are desirable for the medical device industry.
Benefit #1
Providing an Efficient Path to Market
One of the primary advantages of additive manufacturing is the ability to expedite the product development cycle. Additive manufacturing excels at rapid prototyping to eliminate lengthy processes and costs, allowing for a more dynamic and design-driven process.
3D model updates facilitate an iterative design process, reducing the number of steps and lead time required. This significantly minimizes the time and financial resources spent retooling.
Consequently, changes that would typically take weeks or even months to implement can now be accomplished in a matter of days or even hours.
Benefit #2
Unprecedented Freedom of Design
3D printing releases designers from traditional manufacturing constraints. The process allows for the creation of complex parts that were once considered impossible or too costly to manufacture.
With these barriers removed, designers have more freedom to engineer solutions that best serve the needs of patients.
3D printing is regarded as the next industrial revolution in manufacturing.
Benefit #3
Reduced Waste
3D printing reduces scrap, making the manufacturing process more sustainable. Rather than beginning with a large block of metal and removing portions of the material, additive manufacturing builds products using only the materials that are needed.
Benefit #4
Improved Process Efficiency
Additive manufacturing reduces the steps required to produce devices. Plasma spray, for example, is historically applied as a secondary process to create lattice structures. Additive manufacturing allows for the direct printing of a lattice structure, thus reducing waste and streamlining the production process.
Summary
The benefits of additive manufacturing in the orthopaedic industry are clear. However, successful implementation requires careful consideration of quality and design requirements, and working with a partner that has printing expertise and an end-to-end supply chain offering.
Paragon Medical is dedicated to developing the next generation of healthcare products and has the experience to make a difference. If your focus is on surgical innovations, orthopaedic products or robotics, our team is ready to partner with you.
About Paragon Medical
Ensuring Your Success through Our Passion for Service.
Your Trusted Partner in Medical Device Manufacturing
In today’s challenging healthcare environment, you’re looking for a contract manufacturer to help simplify the complexities of supply chain and expedite commercialization. As your trusted partner with a shared commitment to quality, you will feel confident as we come alongside to serve as an extension of your team by delivering world class operational excellence and SIOP planning through over a century of combined expertise in high-precision manufacturing, advanced engineering, and design support.
You can count on Paragon Medical as your strategic partner in medical device manufacturing, offering an end-to-end supply chain solution from initial concept and product development, to verification and validation testing, to final production, assembly, and ongoing strategic demand planning. Discover how you can experience a consistently remarkable partnership through Paragon Medical’s differentiated and personalized solutions designed to exceed your expectations every time.
Sources
1. Healthcare Additive Manufacturing Market: Rising Demand for Personalized Medical Devices to Drive the Market | Biospace.
2. Healthcare Additive Manufacturing Market Analysis, 2016-2018, ©2021 Grand View Research, Inc.
3. Avicenne Analysis. 2021.
4. Successfully Onboarding Metal Based Additive Manufacturing. Jeph Ruppert and Steve Ward. Orthopedic Design Technology (odtmag.com). May 17, 2021.
5. 3D Printing Medical Devices Market Size, Share, and Forecast 2029. (exactitudeconsultancy.com)
