Tailor-made implant for the treatment of complex bone fractures in seriously injured accident victims

We work to deliver optimized custom-made implants for the treatment of patients with complex bone fractures, including acute injuries and repair surgeries

In recent years, we have built up a regional collaboration between the business community (e.g. WITEC B.V.) and hospitals (surgeons, technical physicians, biomedical technologists) for the development of patient-specific implants using 3D technology. Some implants have already been successfully used in severely injured patients with pelvic fractures, among other things. In addition, some implants for repair of injuries to arms and legs (including knee and wrist) are still under development.

The main objectives of the project are:

• Optimising/accelerating the design process by digitizing some design steps
• Perform forces analysis on implants (virtual finite element analysis to optimize the shape, size and thickness of implants
• Apply the new optimized workflow in patient care for various injuries (including pelvic, knee, wrist injuries and post-traumatic posture corrections after various injuries) and translation of knowledge to various body regions. First-in-human study of patient-specific implants are performed.
• Educate and train physicians and technicians in the use of custom-made implants, drilling and repositioning templates (e.g. correction osteotomy).
• Achieve high quality standards in accordance with MDR 2020, with accompanying documentation

The project is a collaboration between the UMCG Trauma Surgery Department, the UMCG 3D Lab and the companies WITEC and BAAT Medical. To know about the partners, please visit the page Partners.

If you have any question about the project or you would like to connect, please contact us via implants@umcg.nl.

The Just Transition Fund provides essential support, advancing the green and sustainable development of the Drenthe, Groningen, and Fryslân Provinces, the Municipality of Emmen, and the Northern Labour Market regions. The fund is co-financed by the European Union and the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and is made available by the regional funding agency Samenwerkingsverband Noord-Nederland (SNN), with support from the Province and Municipality of Groningen.