MINNEAPOLIS and REHOVOT, Israel, April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratasys
Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS), a leading global provider of 3D printing and
additive manufacturing solutions, today announced that Brightwake
Ltd., has developed a revolutionary blood recycling machine, called
the Hemosep, using Stratasys' Dimension 1200es 3D Printer.
The Hemosep recovers blood spilled during open heart and major
trauma surgery, concentrating the blood cells ready for transfusion
back into the patient. This process, known as autotransfusion,
reduces the volume of donor blood required and the problems
associated with transfusion reaction. The prototype device features
a number of Stratasys 3D printed parts, including the main
filtration and cooling systems, enabling the Brightwake team to
functionally test the system in its intended environment, before
the final device is produced from metal. The device has been
awarded the CE mark and is attracting global interest from
distributors and healthcare providers.
"The Hemosep consists of a bag that uses chemical sponge
technology and a mechanical agitator to concentrate blood sucked
from a surgical site or drained from a heart-lung machine after
surgery," says Steve Cotton,
Brightwake's Director of Research and Development. "The cells are
then returned to the patient via blood transfusion. In a climate of
blood shortage, this recycling methodology has the potential to be
a game-changer within the medical industry, saving the National
Health Service millions."
Successful UK Trial Upholds Patient's Religious
Beliefs
Successful clinical trials of over 100 open-heart surgery
operations in Turkey confirmed the
Hemosep's ability to significantly reduce the need for blood
transfusions, and further trials are now continuing in the UK.
One of the first patients to benefit from the new Hemosep device
is 50-year-old UK heart patient Julie
Penoyer, who, as a Jehovah's Witness, requested not to
receive donated blood products. Because the device captures, cleans
and puts back lost blood lost during an operation, Hemosep was the
perfect solution for her.
The success of Hemosep's use during Mrs. Penoyer's operation
presents new possibilities for patients across the globe, whose
religious beliefs mean that receiving donated blood is not an
option.
Prototyping Costs Slashed by 96% and Lead-Times Eliminated
Thanks to In-house Production
For Brightwake, with medical device production demanding
extremely accurate parts, capable of enduring the stress of
functional and safety tests, the company's use of 3D printing has
presented significant cost- and time-saving benefits.
"Previously we had to outsource the production of these parts
which took around three weeks per part," explains Cotton. "Now
we're 3D printing superior strength parts overnight, cutting our
prototyping costs by 96% and saving more than £1,000 for each 3D
printed model.
"3D printing has not only enabled us to cut our own costs, it
has also been crucial in actually getting a functional device to
clinical trials," he adds. "The ability to 3D print parts that
look, feel and perform like the final product, on-the-fly, is the
future of medical device manufacturing."
Originating in Nottingham's traditional textiles industry,
Brightwake is a family-run creative development, engineering,
production and research company specializing in innovative
manufacturing solutions. With nearly 35 years' experience,
Brightwake has now extended its expertise into the medical field,
starting with the production of wound dressing for the UK's
National Health Service (NHS). Armed with its Stratasys' Dimension
1200es 3D Printer from UK reseller Stanford
Marsh, the company now has the in-house capability to extend
its medical device manufacturing program beyond the Hemosep.
"In the fast-paced, competitive medical device industry, we are
seeing more and more of our customers use 3D printing to bring
their products to market more efficiently and cost-effectively,"
reports Andy Middleton, Senior Vice
President and General Manager EMEA. "The ability to turn ideas into
functional products quickly is something that in the long-term we
believe will improve the quality of care, and in some cases, save
lives."
Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS), headquartered in
Minneapolis, Minn. and Rehovot,
Israel, is a leading global
provider of 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions. The
company's patented FDM® and PolyJet™ 3D
Printing technologies produce prototypes and manufactured goods
directly from 3D CAD files or other 3D content. Systems include 3D
printers for idea development, prototyping and direct digital
manufacturing. Stratasys subsidiaries include MakerBot and
Solidscape, and the company operates the RedEye
digital-manufacturing service. Stratasys has more than 1,800
employees, holds over 550 granted or pending additive manufacturing
patents globally, and has received more than 20 awards for its
technology and leadership. Online at: www.stratasys.com or
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Weber
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AP
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Tel. +852 3944
8818
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Stratasys
Japan
Aya
Yoshizawa
Tel. +81 90 6473
1812
Aya.yoshizawa@stratasys.com
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Stratasys
AP
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Fonseca
GAD
Communications
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Stratasys
Mexico
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Leroy
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4866-0800
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SOURCE Stratasys Ltd.