Personalized Finger Joint Implants from a 3D Printer

 From Fraunhofer

Personalized Finger Joint Implants from a 3D Printer

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (Germany)

December 1, 2022

Germany's FingerKIt consortium uses artificial intelligence (AI) to three-dimensionally (3D)-print personalized finger joint implants to replace an individual’s diseased or injured joints. FingerKit combines the expertise of five institutes in Germany’s Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft research organization to produce implants from metallic or ceramic materials. AI-based software converts two-dimensional X-rays into 3D models of finger bones and fixes any malposition. Researchers then employ AI to extrapolate individual implant designs from the finger model, which is 3D-printed via metal binder jetting and sintering. The researchers initially calculated that this process could potentially save up to 60% of the time typically required for the process, from identifying the need for an implant to fitting it in the patient.