Additive Snack - Personalized Spinal Bracing Made Reality with Additive Manufacturing

Personalized Spinal Bracing Made Reality with Additive Manufacturing

04/23/24 • 36 min

Additive manufacturing (AM) isn't just shaping the future of medical devices, it is actively changing lives. As it opens new possibilities for patient care around the globe, innovative 3D design solutions are raising the bar for patient comfort and satisfaction.

Today, Host Fabian Alefeld speaks with Lisa Tweardy, CEO of MIGN, a company leading the charge in innovative spinal brace technology that leverages industrial 3D printing. We have Dr. Baron Lonner, a leader in minimally invasive scoliosis surgery, Isabelle (Liz) Rauch, Orthotist for Dr. Lonner of Orthotic Consultants, and Livi Lasner, founder of Save a Spine, an organization she started to connect those who need spinal braces with the financial support to obtain them. Together they explore how additive manufacturing is revolutionizing not only healthcare but spinal health from a personal and technological perspective.

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS.

Key takeaways:

[1:48] A patient's physical and psychological comfort are essential components of spinal brace design.

[9:36] MIGN is the first and only company to personalize orthopedic bracing at scale.

[15:13] How additive technology allows Dr. Lonner to approach scoliosis treatment differently.

[19:31] An end-to-end digital design workflow allows MIGN to send production requirements anywhere in the world.

[22:12] The mission of the Save a Spine organization.

Resource links:

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS.

Key takeaways:

[1:48] A patient's physical and psychological comfort are essential components of spinal brace design.

[9:36] MIGN is the first and only company to personalize orthopedic bracing at scale.

[15:13] How additive technology allows Dr. Lonner to approach scoliosis treatment differently.

[19:31] An end-to-end digital design workflow allows MIGN to send production requirements anywhere in the world.

[22:12] The mission of the Save a Spine organization.

Resource links:

Previous Episode

Fatigue & Fracture Behavior in AM Materials with Nima Shamsaei of Auburn University

The ultimate goal for additive manufacturing (AM) is for those creating, building, and designing for our future to reach for AM as another tool in their toolbox as easily as they would a traditional manufacturing method. To build this trust and knowledge of industrial 3D printing, countless hours of research are necessary.

To learn more about the research being performed at Auburn University that is shaping the future of AM, Host Fabian Alefeld speaks with a distinguished AM figure, Nima Shamsaei. Nima is a Philpott-West Point Stevens professor at Auburn University and Director of the National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME). At NCAME, Nima and his team are at the forefront of research and technology and are actively studying the fracture and fatigue behavior of AM materials. In addition, a joint project with the US government and Auburn University is supporting manufacturers to create components for NASA.

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS.

Key Takeaways:

[1:39] An interest in mechanical properties led Nima from automotive to pushing the AM envelope with NASA.

[6:33] How Nima detects the fatigue behavior of additive materials.

[9:31] Three challenges of collecting and leveraging additive material data.

[16:19] When cost is not an issue, leveraging additive design maximizes its full potential.

[19:48] Part classifications are based on qualification complexities and the consequence of failure.

[23:21] A joint effort by the US government, Auburn University, and NASA support manufacturers to create parts NASA can use.

Next Episode

AM's Role in the Nuclear Industry with Westinghouse's Adam Travis

The nuclear industry is an underestimated technology that has a substantial impact on daily life. With an uptime average of ninety-three percent, nuclear power plants in the U.S. are three times more reliable than low-carbon technologies. Plus, that reliability makes the technology a smart choice to use as a backbone for future grids.

To gain a wider understanding of nuclear power and the future role of additive manufacturing (AM) in it, Host Fabian Alefeld speaks with the Global AM Program Leader of Westinghouse Nuclear, Adam Travis. Along with other achievements in the AM space, Adam and Westinghouse recently celebrated the printing of their 1000th fuel flow plate for use in the nuclear industry. Adam shares Westinghouse’s AM journey and provides a glimpse into what is next for Westinghouse in the realm of nuclear power.

Comments about the show or wish to share your AM journey? Contact us at [email protected]. The Additive Snack Podcast is brought to you by EOS.

Key takeaways:

[1:17] Nuclear is the best backbone for low-carbon grids.

[6:47] AM helps design and manufacture safety-related parts for nuclear power plants.

[23:52] An AM part was created to offer critical fuel supply diversity for Ukraine.

[28:27] Westinghouse’s additive manufacturing journey.

[38:35] Future AM applications at Westinghouse.

Resource links:

EOS

Westinghouse Nuclear