Patient-specific anatomical models have many uses from pre-surgical planning to helping explain a condition to a patient. Additive manufacturing has been widely adopted as the best way to create such models.

However, last year the FDA announced that any software which would create files for 3D printing anatomical models needed regulatory clearance. Materialise is the first, and currently only, company to develop a software which matched the regulations.

The software, called Mimics inPrint, turns medical image data (DICOM files) into 3D anatomical models and received FDA 510k clearance earlier this year. Now, Materialise is partnering with 3D printer manufacturers to certify printers for use with the software.

At RSNA 2018, Materialise announced that it is partnering with Stratasys. The company has now validated Stratasys’ PolyJet technology for use with its Mimics inPrint software. This means, Stratasys’ J750, J735 and Objet30 Prime multi-material and multi-color systems can now be used in hospitals.

As a result, the two companies aim to enable medical professionals to 3D print safe and high-quality patient-specific anatomical models and remove the burden of quality-control currently on medical professionals.

Bryan Crutchfield, VP and General Manager of Materialise North America, said: “By validating Stratasys’ 3D printing technologies through our certification process, we’re giving doctors and hospitals improved access to high-quality anatomical models for personalised care to patients. The addition of multi-colour and multi-material printers to the list of validated printers is aimed to enable healthcare providers to implement a versatile offering that can support their most complex cases across a wide-range of surgical specialties on a single printer.”