Date: July 2008.
Source: Press Announcement.
3dMD’s high precision 3D surface imaging systems offered as an integrated part of Materialise’ powerful, patient-specific treatment software platform SurgiCase CMF.
Atlanta, USA / Leuven, Belgium, July 24, 2008. Materialise and 3dMD announce a partnership that brings two best-of-breed solutions together, Materialise’ powerful, patient-specific software platform SurgiCase CMF with 3dMD’s high-precision 3D surface imaging systems. This will provide the treatment world with a seamlessly integrated 3D platform that provides the clinician with a fully comprehensive treatment and virtual simulation environment that is intuitive and easy to use. The companies finalized a worldwide distribution agreement whereby Materialise will offer 3dMD surface imaging systems as an imaging component of their first-rate software portfolio.
“3D surface imaging is in many applications instrumental in creating a valid patient-specific biomechanical model,” said Wilfried Vancraen, CEO of Materialise. “With 3dMD’s 12 years of experience in imaging soft tissue changes and established customer presence in the world’s thought leading teaching institutions, clinics, and practices, we believe 3dMD is the perfect partner for our treatment-related simulation initiatives. The 3dMD scanner allows radiation-free planning and treatment follow-up. Without doubt this is beneficial in the treatment of children for instance.”
“While both companies have strong market reputations for innovation and delivery of world class products, I am particularly excited about this partnership because it was initially proposed by our mutual customer community,” said Chris Lane, CEO of 3dMD. “As a response to the market, management teams from Materialise and 3dMD were able to work together to reach a commercial arrangement whereby the community will have access to the very best technology in a common environment. We are very proud to partner with Materialise as their global leadership role in the area of medical and dental image processing and surgery simulation is helping to define the industry.”
With the widespread adoption of more affordable, lower-radiation dose CBCT technology, the treatment community is demanding complementary technologies that will enable them to improve patient care and make treatment planning more economical. The Materialise-3dMD partnership combines two complementary best-of-breed products to move treatment planning to the next level.
Pioneering the development of ultra-fast, high-precision surface imaging for the human form, 3dMD provides the accurate external surface image that is currently not generated by 3D radiographic devices. The 3dMD image is a critical component of the digital “Patient-Specific Anatomic Reconstruction,” which is an anatomically-accurate record in which all of the patient’s 3D images (i.e. CT/CBCT, MRI, 3dMD, etc) are superimposed into one valid 3D structure and combined with the relevant biomechanical properties. 3dMD registers 1:1 to correct CBCT surface artifacts caused by patient movement during the duration of the scan; compensate for soft tissue compression from CBCT stabilization aids (i.e. chin cup); eliminate soft tissue draping from supine CT or CBCT devices; supplement any missing anatomical data (i.e. nose); and capture natural head position.
With SurgiCase CMF, Materialise provides a highly accurate, powerful 3D simulation environment for cranio-maxillofacial surgeries. Based on CT or MRI data, it offers detailed pre-surgical information in both 3D and 2D, allowing to accurately perform cephalometric analyses, plan osteotomies, distractions, reconstructive surgeries, anaplastology cases and simulate the soft tissue outcome, improving communication with the patient and within the surgical team. It enables the user to try out different surgical approaches and compare virtual post-op results. Once the surgery planning in SurgiCase CMF is completed, custom made surgical guides can be produced using 3D printing. These guides accurately transfer the planned treatment to the patient at the time of surgery. Materialise uses the same 3D printing technique to manufacture physical 3D models of any SurgiCase CMF project, thus offering a complete solution for accurate and successful computer assisted cranio-maxillofacial surgery.
About Materialise
With its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium and branches all over the world, the Materialise Group is best known for its activities in the field of rapid industrial and medical prototyping. Apart from having the largest capacity of rapid prototyping equipment in Europe, Materialise enjoys a worldwide reputation as provider of innovative software solutions. As such, Materialise has acquired the position of market leader for 3D printing and Digital CAD software in addition to being a major player in medical and dental image processing and surgery simulation. Moreover, through its unique .MGX division for design products, Materialise is currently opening the market for customized Rapid Manufacturing. The customer base includes all large companies in the automotive, consumer electronics and consumables sectors. Its medical and dental products are used worldwide by renowned hospitals, research institutes and clinicians. Unique design shops all over the world rely on Materialise.MGX. The group has several subsidiaries in Europe, Asia and the USA, and employs over 600 people in its 4 divisions. More information on www.materialise.com and www.surgicase.com/cmf .