Stryker is partnering with the Australian government, two Australian universities and St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne to support a $9.3 million 3-D printing implant project, according to 3ders.org.
Here are five things to know:
1. Melbourne's RMIT University and the University of Technology Sydney are part of the five-team, five-year project. The parties look to develop "just-in-time implants" through 3-D printing technology.
2. The 3-D implants will be patient specific for those undergoing tumor removal and bone cancer treatment. Researchers hope to have the 3-D implants printed alongside the surgery.
3. Using titanium or certain polymers, physicians will model implants based off of the patient's specific CT scan or MRI. Researchers hope to reduce the wait time compared to traditional methods of customizing implants.
4. Stryker has continued to make developments in medical 3-D printing. This past year, the company acquired the support of GE Additive to grow Stryker's 3-D printing capabilities.
5. Stryker aims to solidify itself as a leader in the 3-D-printed implant industry in Australia and globally.