The 3D printer provider, Markforged, has announced that its Metal X printing system has been used to 3D print surgical instrument prototypes for Shukla Medical. This method has allowed Shukla Medical, a surgical tool manufacturer, to cut down its annual costs.
Constructed of 17-4PH stainless steel material, the prototypes of the surgical tools which closely resemble the end product are used by surgeons to gain practical experience and confidence with the surgical tools before entering the operating room.
The prototypes have been said to help minimize the amount of time spent in the operating room, speed up the time-to-market for surgical tools compared to computer numerical control (CNC) machining, increase safety, and reduce recovery time for patients.
Image courtesy of Markforged