After four years of work, this is a culmination for Gaston Bernier, dentist in oncology and clinical researcher at the NS from Quebec.Canada, this is the first time that a Canadian company, a research consortium, will approve a 3D printed surgical product. “,” Text “:” We are very proud. According to HealthCanada, this is the first time that a Canadian company, a research consortium, will approve a 3D printed surgical product. “}}”>We are very proud. According to Health Canada, this is the first time that a Canadian company, a research consortium, will approve a 3D printed surgical product.
Same enthusiasm at Lyne Dubois, vice-president at Investissement Québec – CRIQ (Center de recherche industrielle du Québec). The approval is a bit of the culmination, it is the stage that gives us the green light to make implants in humans.
The mandibular bar which was developed in the anatomical reconstruction laboratory of Investissement Québec-CRIQ is imprinted from the model of the patient’s jaw and serves as a support for the replacement bone allowing reconstruction of the jaw.
These printed custom bars will allow for more precise mandibular reconstructions than the non-specific bars that are currently available on the market.
Gaston Bernier, dentist in oncology and clinical researcher at the CHU de Québec.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Guylaine Bussière
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According to Dr. Bernier, the innovation will benefit patients and facilitate the surgeon’s work: often there were precision difficulties resulting in less well reconstructed faces, more pain, and longer postoperative care
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Economic development through innovation
More than $ 8 million has been invested in the development of this innovation by Investissement Québec – CRIQ and the Ministry of Economy and Innovation. We had to set up the laboratory, acquire the printers and develop the product in collaboration with the NS from Quebec.
Lyne Dubois believes that the investment is worth it and responds perfectly to the role of her organization, which aims at economic development through process and product innovation.
« There, we are in the midst of product innovation and we are revolutionizing medical practice by offering a means of reducing operating times. »
Lyne Dubois, vice-president at Investissement Québec – CRIQ, in the anatomical reconstruction laboratory (LARA).
Photo: Radio-Canada / Guylaine Bussière
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According to Gaston Bernier, the use of these printed and personalized bars will make it possible to reduce the surgical intervention time by an average of 1 hour 30 minutes for these complex operations which last on average about ten hours. He thinks he can be ready to use this device on a first patient at NS of Quebec from February 2022.
Expensive device … for now
Each year in the province, about 70 people with oral cancer require jaw reconstruction and could have access to this device. Replacement devices that are on the market sell for around $ 1,000, says Dr. Bernier.
For now, the custom printed bar will cost between $ 5,000 and $ 15,000, he continues. He explains that, in return, innovation brings a lot of gains: the more we will be able to treat all customers in Quebec, the more the unit cost will be reduced.
During our visit to the anatomical reconstruction laboratory, research and development technician Philippe Duguay inserts the titanium powder into the 3D printer. The powder will be fused to make the titanium bar.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Guylaine Bussière
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For the partners, this device, which has passed all the stages towards approval, is an open door to other applications of this medical printing technology. Gaston Bernier is already talking about the development of other printed implantable devices.
We have some ideas
, he says, all smiles. Spinal cages to separate sagging vertebrae are an example of small parts that could be custom-printed for patients.
Investment Quebec – CRIQ is proud to pave the way for these innovations and hopes to transfer this expertise to Quebec entrepreneurs who would like to develop these new markets and position themselves in the life sciences sector.
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