3D printer 3D Medical has won a contract to produce more prosthetic jaws, following the recent successful implant of a custom-made 3D-printed titanium jaw joint in a patient.
3D Medical has struck a deal with an undisclosed specialist in the prosthetic treatment of jaw disorders and injuries to produce 25 individual prostheses over the next year.
The initial six prostheses to be delivered will be used in surgery to treat patients with osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is the jaw joint.
"The complexity of TMJ surgery requires precision in the prosthesis used, and is a large market opportunity for 3D Medical," 3D Medical said on Thursday.
The first six prostheses will be used on five patients, one of whom will have both sides of the jaw replaced with a 3D-printed titanium prosthesis.
3D Medical said not all prostheses required the degree of customisation and precision offered by 3D-printing offers.
But the ageing population, increasing clinical diagnosis of degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis, and improved clinical outcomes could lead to a wider adoption of personalised prostheses.
Shares in 3D Medical closed flat at 12 cents.
Share
