Case Study: University of Stellenbosch achieves validated patient-specific knee implant design with Materialise

Patient-Specific Implant Design Made Easier

The University of Stellenbosch investigated whether patient-specific total knee arthroplasty could outperform standard, off-the-shelf implants, confronting challenges such as validating patient-specific finite element analyses (FEA) given cartilage deformation under load and large anatomical variation between patients. To address this, the team used Materialise’s Mimics Innovation Suite (and 3-matic) to convert MRI, CT and laser-scan data into accurate 3D models for contact-pressure analysis and implant design.

Using Materialise software, researchers segmented loaded and unloaded MRI scans to validate FEA contact geometry (showing close correspondence between measurement and prediction), quantified substantial inter-patient variation in condylar curvature, and designed patient-specific unicompartmental tibial and femoral components with full cortical rim coverage ready for 3D printing. Materialise’s tools enabled reproducible validation and statistical analysis and produced custom implant designs intended to reduce bone loss, simplify surgery, improve fit, and potentially extend implant longevity.

University of Stellenbosch