Case Study: Ruijin Orthopaedic Institute enhances patient-specific orthotics and surgical precision with 3D Systems additive manufacturing solutions

How Ruijin Orthopaedic Institute Built a Production Workflow for Patient-specific Orthotics and Cutting Guides with AM Solutions from 3D Systems

Ruijin Orthopaedic Institute in Shanghai needed a more reliable way to produce patient-specific orthotics, rehabilitation braces, and surgical cutting guides. To address challenges around long production times, limited customization, poor comfort, and the need for greater surgical precision, the institute turned to 3D Systems and its additive manufacturing solutions, including SLS printing and the Figure 4® SLA printer.

3D Systems helped Ruijin Orthopaedic Institute build an on-site digital workflow for custom insoles, braces, and ankle arthroplasty cutting guides. Using SLS for durable, lattice-structured orthotics and Figure 4® with MED-AMB 10 for fast, accurate guides, the hospital improved fit, comfort, and operating efficiency; the case notes that Figure 4® could produce a guide in about 2 hours and helped reduce surgical time and radiation exposure by enabling accurate osteotomy placement in a single C-arm session.

Ruijin Orthopaedic Institute