Austrian medical training and innovation company Addion GmbH has adopted a Stratasys Digital Anatomy Solution to create 3D printed antomical eye models for eyelid surgery training.
Addion is collaborating with Eyecer.at Gmbh to enable surgeons and medical students to practice delicate procedures with the 3D printed models. Students at the Anatomical Institute of the University of Innsbruck have been the first to utilise the devices.
Stratasys' PolyJet 3D printing technology is said to be able to reproduce the 'intricate anatomy' of the human eye and surrounding tissues, including skin, muscle, and fat layers, with 'lifelike precision.' It allows users to simulate rare or complex pathologies and gives trainees the opportunity to develop skills across a range of surgical scenarios. These, Addion says, include reconstruction of injured or surgically impacted eyelids and elective procedures that improve patient aesthetics.
In select models, Addion has also been able to incorporate features such as simulated blood flow within printed tissue, helping users to experience the tactile and visual challenges of real procedures in a controlled environment.
“We can now simulate rare and complex pathologies in a way that is ethical, reproducible, and remarkably realistic,” said Alexander Hechenberger, CEO and founder of Addion GmbH. “By eliminating the need for cadavers or animal models, medical institutions no longer require chilled facilities, while benefiting from safe, consistent, and cost-effective training, without sacrificing the quality of the model. The realism we achieve, you can see it, feel it, and scale it anywhere in the world with the same reliability, is democratising surgical education, making it more accessible than ever.”
“Digital Anatomy additive manufacturing combines material science and medical insight to replicate the true behaviour of human tissue,” added Erez Ben Zvi, VP Healthcare at Stratasys. “Addion’s work with the University of Innsbruck exemplifies how advanced simulation can improve both surgical performance and patient care—helping medical organisations train more efficiently, safely, and at scale.”
At Formnext, Addion has been demonstrating the eyelid surgery models from the Stratasys Booth: Hall 12.1, D121.
