The agreement with Fuwai Hospital was signed in Beijing.
Additive manufacturing thought-leader, Materialise has expanded its presence in one of the 3D printing industry’s fastest growing regions through a collaboration with Fuwai Hospital and Golden Laser in China.
Signing both agreements in Beijing last week, the Belgian company hopes the collaboration will accelerate the implementation of 3D printed heart models in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Peter Leys, Materialise’s Chairman of the Board, commented: “Around the world, these heart models have already proven invaluable for the preparation of complex interventions, thereby improving outcomes and in many cases, saving lives. This is especially true for young babies born with heart defects due to the complexity that comes with treating patients so young and delicate.”
President of Fuwai Hospital, Dr. Hu Shengshou, added: “We appreciate the opportunity to work with a company that has 25 years of experience in medical 3D Printing as they help us navigate opportunities and achieve medical 3D Printing goals in a safe, economical and sustainable way. With this collaboration, Fuwai Hospital will become China’s leading centre for 3D printed heart model education, spreading knowledge of the technology and how it can be used by surgeons to the benefit of the Chinese public.”
Materialise is expanding its footprint in the region even further by bringing its i.materialise platform to users in China. The platform, which allows designers, inventors and artists to utilise 3D printing, will now be operated in partnership with China’s Golden Laser, a manufacturer of laser cutting, engraving and marking systems and its upcoming 3D printing service, 3D Eazer. Manufacturing will take place at the company’s Additive Manufacturing Centre Service Bureau in Wuhan, China, brining local access to makers and expanding the reach of this technology to one of the world’s biggest manufacturing markets.
In March, Materialise CEO, Fried Vancraen spoke at TCT Asia about what he feels is the industry’s fastest growing region. These partnerships will bring the company’s experience in the medical sector and personalised 3D printing to a new region that is already proving itself as a worthy contender in the global additive manufacturing market.
