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Medtronic launches platform for Additive Manufacturing of complex titanium spinal implants Medtronic plc, Dublin, Ireland, has launched a titanium Additive Manufacturing platform which it states enables more complex designs and integrated surface technologies for spinal surgical implants. The announcement was made during the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The new platform, titled TiONICTM Technology, is an Additive Manufacturing technique said to create enhanced surface textures using a differentiated laser method. This enables the production of implants with rough three-dimensional surface structures which imitate natural trabecular bone morphology, increasing osteoconductivity and promote bone in-growth (osseointegration).
The first implant to be manufactured using the TiONIC process is its ARTiC-LTM spinal system, which incorporates a ‘honeycomb’ structure. The titanium implant is designed for use in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion spinal surgery. As well as encouraging osseointegration of the surrounding bone, the honeycomb structure reportedly provides improved mechanical load distribution across the implant. “ARTiC-L is an important component of Medtronic’s portfolio of reproducible solutions for minimally invasive procedures,” stated Doug King, Senior Vice President and President of Medtronic’s Spine Division, which is part of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic. “Our 3D printed TiONIC Technology allows devices such as ARTiC-L – and our
Javelin Technologies and Cimetrix Solutions merger Javelin Technologies, Oakville, Ontario, and Cimetrix Solutions, Oshawa, Ontario, have merged with the aim of providing an enhanced service offering to a combined total of around six thousand customers in Canada. Javelin Technologies provides AM design engineering, product data management, automation and industrial metal and plastic Additive Manufacturing and is a trusted reseller for Solidworks software and Desktop Metal machines. Cimetrix offers Additive Manufacturing and laser scanning solutions for both industry and education, in fields as varied as automotive, aerospace and medicine. The senior management team for the integrated company will consist of John Carlan and Ted Lee, Javelin’s co-founders and Owners, and James Janeteas, founder, CEO and President
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of Cimetrix. Javelin will continue to be known as Javelin Technologies, while Cimetrix will now be referred to as ‘Cimetrix Solutions, a division of Javelin Technologies.’ “Our focus has always been on taking care of our customers by understanding what drives their business and providing solutions that affect the bottom line,” Janeteas stated. “I’m excited because by combining our expertise and resources, we can be even more responsive and provide even deeper application knowledge and advice.” “We shorten the distance between idea and production,” added Lee. “We help people and businesses execute well, and that’s never been more important. Joining Javelin and Cimetrix means we’re putting ourselves exactly where our customers will be and will need us to be.”
Metal Additive Manufacturing | Summer 2018
The ARTiC-L Spinal System incorporates a honeycomb structure to encourage osseointegration of the surrounding bone (Courtesy Medtronic plc)
future interbody implant portfolio – to offer surgical advantages not traditionally possible.” Dr Colin C Buchanan, a neurosurgeon at the Colorado Brain and Spine Institute, USA, commented, “Surface advancements, like TiONIC Technology, have emerged as a paradigm shift in interbody fusion implants. Implants utilising newer surface technology can help stimulate a cellular response and give me greater confidence that the patient will have a successful fusion.” www.medtronic.com
Javelin and Cimetrix are already said to be highly involved in rapidly changing, high-growth sectors such as manufacturing, energy and healthcare. In addition, Javelin reported that it has a new investment partner − CAI Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in Vancouver, British Columbia. CAI has a long history of partnering with Canadian founder-led businesses to support growth initiatives and build upon their past success Rich Garrity, President, Americas for Stratasys, commented that the Stratasys team sees the merger as a positive step. “For the past seventeen years, Stratasys has had strong representation in the Canadian market with our veteran partners Cimetrix Solutions and Javelin Technologies. The Additive Manufacturing landscape is changing at an ever-increasing rate and we value and need strong, industry-defining partnerships to help customers navigate.” www.javelin-cimetrix.com
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Vol. 4 No. 2