HSS Announces First Provider-based 3D Printing Lab for Complex, Personalized Orthopedic Implants

NEW YORK, /PRNewswire/ -- The top-ranked orthopedic hospital in the U.S. and a leading global medical device manufacturer from Europe today announced the formation of the first provider-based additive manufacturing 3D printing facility for custom complex implants.  This innovative collaboration will set the stage to substantially increase the availability and speed of personalized orthopedic care for patients with complex orthopedic conditions in the United States.

Since 2016, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), ranked No. 1 in orthopedics for the past nine years by U.S.News & World Report, has sourced patient-specific custom implants from LimaCorporate (Lima) which is headquartered in Italy. These devices are intended for treatment of highly complex cases. The new facility, to be operated by Lima, will leverage the combination of Lima's advanced technology and experience, and HSS' expertise in clinical care and bio mechanical engineering.  The collaboration will foster and accelerate innovation in complex orthopedic joint care resulting in new products and solutions for patients across the U.S.

"This is part of a broader, unique ecosystem that HSS is creating to accelerate and extend the advancement of musculoskeletal wellness," said Louis A. Shapiro, CEO and president of HSS.

"We aim to provide seamless coordination of care to achieve the best patient outcomes for patients with complicated joint reconstruction needs," said Leonard Achan, RN, MA, ANP, chief innovation officer at HSS. "Having Lima's technology on campus will allow us to treat our patients more effectively with close collaboration of surgeons, engineers, and custom implant manufacturing, which is crucial when dealing with challenging conditions."

"The majority of our patients, and joint replacement patients everywhere, have a similar treatment pattern.  However the complex patients, the patients who have been living with joint problems for decades who have not found relief elsewhere - now we can offer new options," said Achan.  

Patients will be able to get scanned on-site so their custom implant will be created just for them in the lab. This facility will be accessible to those who need complex implants, not only HSS patients. 

Nearly half a century ago, the modern total knee replacement was developed at HSS transforming the lives of millions of patients. Today, HSS surgeons perform over 10,000 hip and knee replacements each year, more than any other hospital in the U.S., and treat many challenging reconstructions and revisions.

Lima will be the registered manufacturer for all devices designed and produced at this new, state-of-the-art facility, located at HSS.  The facility is expected to be operational by early 2020 and will initially serve hospitals in the region before making the devices available to all providers in the U.S.

About HSS | Hospital for Special Surgery
HSS is the world's leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the ninth consecutive year) and No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S.News & World Report (2018-2019). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has one of the lowest infection rates in the country and was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center four consecutive times. The global standard total knee replacement was developed at HSS in 1969. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State. In addition, HSS will be opening a new facility in Florida in late 2019. In 2017 HSS provided care to 135,000 patients and performed more than 32,000 surgical procedures, and people from all 50 U.S. states and 80 countries travelled to receive care at HSS. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. The HSS Global Innovation Institute was formed in 2016 to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is the world's leading provider of education on the topic on musculoskeletal health, with its online learning platform offering more than 600 courses to more than 21,000 medical professional members worldwide. Through HSS Global Ventures, the institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally.

About LimaCorporate
LimaCorporate is a global medical device company providing reconstructive and custom-made orthopaedic solutions to surgeons who face the challenges of improving the quality of life of their patients. Based in Italy, LimaCorporate is committed to the development of innovative products and procedures to enable surgeons to select ideal solution for every individual patient. LimaCorporate's product range includes large joint revision and primary implants and complete extremities solutions including fixation. For additional information on the Company, please visit: limacorporate.com

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SOURCE Hospital for Special Surgery