The development of 3D printing technology has brought different experiences to all walks of life, especially in the medical field, and it is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Recently, a group of scientists from the Surface Technology Group of the Hannover Laser Center (LZH) in Germany have found a new method for medical micro-implants that uses 3D printing of various metals using the "mini version" of selective laser melting (SLM) technology. Specifically, they have successfully invented a highly automated selective laser micro-melting (SLμM) technology that can use platinum, nickel-titanium or stainless steel to fabricate micro-implants or coat them on micro-implants. metallic material. This project is actually a sub-project of the REMEDIS project carried out by LZH in cooperation with the Biotechnology Research Institute of Rostock University, Germany. The REMEDIS project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). LZH scientists can use a selective laser micro-melting process to coat the electrodes of a pacemaker with platinum, or to make a 3D lattice structure of nickel-titanium (NiTi) and an intravascular stent made of stainless steel. Nickel-titanium memory alloy 3D structure printed by 3D printing using SLμM process According to the researchers, one of the ways to extend the life of a pacemaker is to intelligently change the shape and surface of the electrode. For this reason, platinum's bio-inert nature and excellent electrical conductivity make it an ideal material, but its hardness is very high and it is difficult to manufacture in the microscopic range using conventional methods. In this project, scientists successfully applied a platinum-rhodium alloy to the pacemaker using a selective laser microfusion process. Electrode head coated with platinum-rhodium alloy using SLμM process In addition to coating platinum on the pacemaker, LZH scientists are also able to use a titanium-nickel memory alloy to create a lattice structure with a resolution of up to 90 microns and retain all the properties of a shape memory alloy. This opens up the possibility of tailoring a stent or bone substitute for a patient. Finally, the use of laser micro-fusion technology has also enabled scientists to use stainless steel 316 to make endovascular stents. In this project, the researchers designed, developed and manufactured a closed unit with mechanical properties similar to conventional brackets. Stainless steel micro-stent made with SLμM process Jiangmen Kuaibu Manufacturing Co.,Ltd , https://www.kuaibuhardware.com
Selective Laser Microfusion Technology: A New Breakthrough in the Medical Industry