CIFT project announcement

CIFT Announces Initiative for 3-D Printed Medical Devices

TOLEDO, Ohio – CIFT, the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) affiliate for northwest Ohio, announces a collaboration with FibreTuff Medical Biopolymers, LLC (Toledo, Ohio), Whiteside Orthotic and Prosthetic Group, Inc. (Youngstown, Ohio), JuggerBot3D LLC (Youngstown), Valtronic (Solon, Ohio), Mercy Health (Toledo) and Ohio Development Services Agency to advance the design and production of medical devices using innovative, FDA-compliant ingredients and additive manufacturing (also known as 3-D printing) technologies.

“The interest in 3-D printing continues to grow rapidly,” said Rebecca A. Singer, president and CEO, CIFT.  “We are excited to take part in this opportunity to assist Ohio manufacturers at enhancing a component of the healthcare industry in northwest Ohio, and eventually throughout the state.”

The statewide project will be executed in three phases by:1) qualifying three different biomaterial formulas for the 3-D printing process,2) designing and 3-D printing medical devices using three biomaterials, and,3) developing conceptual prototypes for “smart” devices using 3-D printed designs.

The patented and patent pending cellulose compositions, developed and produced by FibreTuff in phase one of the project, will utilize natural ingredients that promote sustainable materials.

Design and testing of the medical devices will be led by Whiteside Orthotics and Prosthetics Group in phase two.  Production of devices will be performed by JuggerBot3D and Valtronic.

In phase three, Valtronic will provide expertise and production capabilities due to their background in complex electronic devices used in the medical industry.  Additionally, support will be provided by Dr. Eric MacDonald of Youngstown State University (in collaboration with Whiteside Orthotics and Prosthetics Group) for design of “smart devices.”

Mercy Health is serving as the regional healthcare partner to prototype 3-D printed medical devices for the benefit of future patients.  Results of this project will assist Ohio manufacturing companies to advance such technology to the healthcare industry, allowing devices to be created with incredible accuracy, in shorter time, enhancing the overall recovery plan for a patient.

For more information, contact John Harkness, manufacturing engineer, CIFT, at 419-535-6000, ext. 107.