US-based Onkos Surgical Inc., a company that offers personalised surgical oncology solutions announced that it has partnered with 3D Systems, one of the largest 3D printing companies in the world to advance delivery of personalised surgical solutions to improve outcomes for musculoskeletal cancer patients. Onkos Surgical has signed a 4-year agreement with 3D Systems, under which the former will gain priority access to the latter’s VSP (Virtual Surgical Planning) Orthopedic product line for surgical planning in addition to 3D printed anatomical models.
3D Systems’ VSP technology is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a service-based approach to personalised surgery. The technology combines together expertise in medical imaging, surgical simulation and 3D printing. This is how the process works: 1) a surgeon shares the clinical knowledge and desired surgical plan with 3D Systems biomedical engineer to stimulate and plan the surgical procedure; 2) the outcome of the meeting is a digital plan, which is transferred to the operating room with the help of accurate 3D printed patient-specific models, guides and templates.
Onkos Surgical Inc. is not the first company to use 3D Systems’ VSP technology, earlier this year, Stryker – one of the global leaders in medical technologies also partnered with 3D Systems for an exclusive distribution of 3D Systems’ Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) and anatomical models for the craniomaxillofacial (CMF) specialty, a type of surgical specialty that involves treating defects in head, neck, face, jaws and maxillofacial (jaws and face) region.
Onkos Surgical Inc. and 3D Systems have partnered to advance the delivery of personalised surgical solutions to help improve outcomes for patients with tumours and lesions detected in the pelvis and long bones. These bones are the large bones found in the arms and legs and are associated with musculoskeletal cancers. The combination of VSP and 3D printing will allow surgeons to plan a surgical procedure well in advance and help design surgical tools as well as implants as per every patient’s unique needs.
Expressing delight on partnership with 3D systems, Patrick Treacy, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Onkos Surgical said in official statement released by Onkos Surgical, “We are delighted to announce this partnership with 3D Systems, a true visionary and leader in medical device 3D printing and surgical planning,”
“As an early stage investor in Onkos, they understand the criticality of our connection to the customer, the unique challenges these surgeons and patients face and the tremendous opportunity we have to make a difference for these patients while building a high value and scalable business,” Treacy added.
Explaining how the partnership with 3D Systems will add to Onkos Surgical’s product capabilities, Sean Curry, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Onkos Surgical stated that, “The relationship with 3D Systems enhances our capabilities with product bundles and patient-specific solutions that will deliver on our promise of bringing focus and dedication to this space.”
Speaking about the partnership with Onkos Surgical and adding on how the combination of VSP and 3D printing could help improve patients, Kevin McAlea, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Metals and Healthcare, 3D Systems said, “3D Systems is pleased to partner with Onkos Surgical delivering adaptive tools designed to provide insights, processes and outcomes for musculoskeletal oncology cases”.
“The combination of VSP and 3D printing provides an advantage for surgeons to personalize the surgical plan, instruments and implants for each unique case”, McAlea concluded.
