Nvision Launches First 3D-Printed Anterior Cervical Plate

Nvision Biomedical Technologies and Watershed Idea Foundry have received FDA clearance for the first-ever completely additive manufactured titanium anterior cervical plate, the Quantum Titanium Cervical Plate System. Recently cleared, the companies say the Quantum system leads the way for game-changing design freedoms which push clinical benefits to new levels and ultimately impact patient care.

The Quantum system offers multiple specialized features, including a nested assembly in which the screw-locking cover is 3D printed as a single unit inside the anterior cervical plate; and dual-plate finishes with a textured posterior surface; and smooth, polished anterior surface. Enhanced screw holes accommodate 30 degrees of cephalad/caudal angulation, which enable the surgeon to use a shorter plate.

Additionally, the Quantum system incorporates Structural Encoding capabilities to address FDA unique device identification (UDI) requirements. The construct design features anatomically optimized placement and increased procedural options and flexibility, which potentially means less time in surgery to benefit both surgeons and patients.

“It has been incredibly exciting for us to realize new product enhancements made possible by additive manufacturing,” says Nick Cordaro, CEO of Watershed Idea Foundry. “Combining multiple components into single nested, 3D printed assemblies is one example of such an advancement, which can provide supply chain cost and timeline advantages, while reducing patient risks of component disassembly.”

By additive manufacturing the Quantum system, Nvision leveraged design options that were not available with machined plates. “The active locking system is integrally printed within the plates and, therefore, never assembled, which means the locks cannot become unassembled in the surgical field,” says Tom Zink,  Nvision’s senior vice president of product development. “The posterior side of the Quantum plates present texture to allow for osteointegration and is designed to allow the plate to absorb load that with traditional plates is fully on the screws. With the hyper angulation of the screw holes design, the surgeon has the option to place the screws as far away from adjacent levels as possible.”