FDA Seeks Feedback on Draft Guidelines For 3D Printing Medical Devices

FOR MEDTECH MOMENTUM

FDA is committed to fostering innovation in additive manufacturing.
With the rapid developments in 3D printing or additive manufacturing, ranging from patient specific implants, to instrumentation and external prostheses, the FDA has issued draft guidelines for firms who manufacture, repackage, relabel, or import medical devices in the U.S. (published site)

Opportunities and Challenges in 3D Printing

For MEDTECH MOMENTUM

SmartTech Publishing released a new study of additive manufacturing in orthopedics in May 2017. The market research company says their paper “Additive Orthopedics: Markets for 3D Printed Medical Implants 2017,” is an in-depth look and analysis of the opportunities specific to the use of additive manufacturing or 3D printing technology for medical applications.

Here are some of the highlights based on a report from the June 7, 2017 Today’s Medical Developments: (published site)

Promising new drug for relapsed AML

CANCER DIGEST – June 24, 2017 – Researchers have found a drug that inhibits a particular mutation in a deadly form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with promise of producing longer survival.

The sub-type of AML has a mutation in a gene called FLT3, found in about 30 percent of patients’ leukemia cells.

Next Generation 3D Manufacturing Ushering In Era of Individualized Implants

FOR MEDTECH MOMENTUM

Brief roundup of medical grade 3D printing materials
Following the first successful implant of 3D printed titanium cervical spine graft, announced last year at the German Society of Neurosurgery annual meeting, surgeon Uwe Spetzger pointed to the potential for using surgical implants that are not just tailored for a particular patient, but actually manufactured specifically for that patient. (published site)

Can exercise really help my lower back pain?

For: Dr. Michael Gomez,

Brain and Spine Surgery

Via MedTechMomentum

If you have lower back pain, one of the last things you want to think about is exercising, but that is just one of the non-surgical treatments your doctor may recommend before determining that you may be among the 5 percent of people who needs surgery. (published site)

So the question you may have is how can exercise help?

Looking for short-term relief from low-back pain? Try massage

For: Dr. Michael Gomez,

Brain and Spine Surgery
Via MedTechMomentum

Can neurological massage help with chronic low back pain?

That’s one of the questions researchers asked in a systematic review of the current evidence on non-drug therapies for acute or chronic low back pain that has been published in medical journals. (published site)

How Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeries Are Done

For: Dr. Michael Gomez,

Brain and Spine Surgery
Via MedTechMomentum

With advances in spinal surgeries, minimally invasive surgery is now an option for many spinal conditions including degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spinal instability. With small incision, the shorter recovery, reduced pain, less blood loss and shorter surgery time, many people experiencing back pain that has not been relieved with non-surgical treatments are considering minimally invasive spinal surgery, or MISS.

If you are like most people, however, you may wonder what is involved, how is it done and is it right for you? (published site)