Oxford Performance Materials granted patent for 3D printing customised bone implant method

The patent, effective as of December 21st 2016, is valid until August 7th 2029.

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Advanced materials science specialist, Oxford Performance Materials (OPM) has announced it has been granted a patent from the European Patent Office (EPO) for its invention on a ‘Customized Implant for Bone Replacement’.

Originally filed in December 2011, the patented method leverages OPM’s OsteoFab implant manufacturing process. Taking effect from December 21st 2016, the patent will be valid until August 7th 2029 and will enable OPM to apply its high-performance additive manufacturing process to 3D print customised implants for bone replacement. 

With the granting of this patent, OPM has achieved protection of its novel OsteoFab process for producing 3D objects from poly-ether-ketone-ketone (PEKK) powders through selective laser sintering (SLS). This process combines 3D printing with a unique chemistry, to print orthopaedic and neurological implants that offer such benefits as radiolucency, bone-like mechanical properties, and a distinctive ‘peak-and-pit-like’ surface topography.

Severine Zygmont, the President of OPM Biomedical, has outlined the company’s delight at receiving the patent. Allowing the company to continue its growth, Zygmont is pleased OPM can also be of benefit to the medical and healthcare sector, offering customised applications at reduced costs.

“This patent from the EPO is an important milestone for OPM as it allows us to further expand into Europe with validated process technology that enables the 3D printing of fully functional, patient-specific parts for biomedical applications,” said Zygmont. “Our biomedical innovations are enabling improved surgical outcomes at a lower cost, causing the industry to rethink how surgical implants are designed and manufactured. We look forward to delivering improved personalised medicine to the European market.”

OPM Biomedical, a subordinate department within OPM, considers itself a pioneer in personalised medicine. Its 3D printing OsteoFab cranial and facial implants as an OEM, and its SpineFab line on a contract manufacturing basis, has established OPM as a leader in biomedicine. OPM Biomedical is the first and only company to receive FDA 510(k) clearance to manufacture 3D-printed patient-specific polymeric implants, and has a total of four 510(k) clearances in its portfolio.

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