Manufacturing medical devices poses significant challenges due to their small size, precise dimensions, and intricate functionalities. Nano Dimension, a prominent manufacturer of 3D printers for electronics, recently undertook a biomedical project in collaboration with three prominent research centers in Canada and France. The project aimed to create a medical device using micro 3D printing technology, specifically designed for recording the neuronal activity of mice.
The device aims to explore neural mechanisms involved in somatosensory processing, including pain perception, temperature sensing, and body position. It was fabricated using the Fabrica Micro 3D printer, specifically engineered to meet the precise micrometer specifications of the 2.7mm wide medical device. The Fabrica Micro 3D printer also achieves an 11µm tolerance for electrodes, a capability already proven in producing plastic components for aerospace, automotive, and medical applications. In addition to its proprietary high-precision materials, the printer supports micro 3D printing with external resin options.
The material chosen was the biocompatible Fabrica Medical M-810, which was specially developed for implantation purposes and is non-toxic. (Photo Credits: Nano Dimension)
Manufacturing the device using micro 3D printing technology has many advantages. Among other things, the device could be produced within a week, whereas this would have taken several months using conventional manufacturing processes. According to Louison Brochoire from the University of Bordeaux, additive manufacturing overcomes numerous limitations. He added, “The high precision and resolution of Nano Dimension’s micro-3D printing technology, combined with the use of a biocompatible material, has enabled us to create a new tool necessary to achieve our main goal.”
The project also faced significant challenges, as there are few studies involving awake animals during examinations. The movement of the mice made it difficult to target specific points on the vertebrae. Thus, micro 3D printing technology was essential to create a device that allowed the animals to move while stabilizing the electrodes inserted into tiny holes. The printer produced precise parts with tight tolerances, achieving a pixel size of 4 µm and a layer height ranging from 1 to 10 µm, which was crucial for manufacturing the tiny device.
“Being able to make such precise and tiny holes in the brace was crucial,” Brochoire added. “This design feature helped minimize artifacts caused by the animal’s breathing and movement, which would have interfered with our electrical signal, complicating analysis of the results.” With its precise production, this project represents a significant step forward in the study of neural mechanisms and the manufacture of medical devices. Such advances are expected to enable further applications in medical research in the future. You can find out more about the company here.
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