AM – Benefits for patients from custom orthoses

 The German company Ottobock has acquired a majority stake in the Düsseldorf-based company plus medica OT and thus gained a strong partner in the field of Additive Manufacturing.

The young start-up plus medica OT has been successfully marketing 3D-printed orthoses since 2015, including dynamic ankle-foot orthoses, which are fabricated primarily for children. In future, the business will be run under the strong brand of globally operating med-tech company Ottobock.

3D printing is a key component of the digital transformation in the O&P industry,”

-Dr Oliver Scheel, CEO of Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA-

3D-printed orthoses offer patients is breathability thanks to their perforated surface.

It makes the otherwise sturdy device breathable and flexible where required, resulting in product advantages that are not possible with conventional fabrication methods.

Professionals from O&P at the medical supply companies have the opportunity to send the scans they have created themselves to Ottobock and then receive the 3D-printed orthoses. Nevertheless, sending in plaster casts is also an option. Ottobock then performs the scan that is necessary for the printing procedure.

“Together with plus medica OT, we are making major advances in digitization in the orthopedic industry. Cooperation between various partners is therefore of crucial importance,” states Sarik Weber, Chief Digital Officer of Ottobock since May 1st this year. The investment made by Ottobock in digital fabrication opportunities represents a further expansion of the Duderstadt-based company’s portfolio in the area of orthoses produced for a custom, perfect fit.

Our shared goal is to take the development and fabrication of orthopedic devices to a new level and improve the quality of life of those affected thanks to innovative solutions,”…“Optimizations with respect to weight, function, breathability and above all design have shown that patients who have worn an orthosis fabricated with additive manufacturing methods tend to continue doing so. We are delighted to be working with a strong partner to move these precise topics forward.”

-Dr. Georg Landsberg, founder & CEO of plus medica OT-

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