TreeD Filaments, a leading filament producer based in Italy, launches Healthfil, a new range of filaments developed specifically to meet the growing needs of the affordable medical 3D printing segment. In many areas of orthopedics, additive manufacturing represents the newest technological frontier, opening up several new opportunities in terms of product capabilities and accessibility.
3D printing enables to overcome the geometric limits of conventional machining, making possible what once was not:
the creation of truly customized orthopedic supports for each individual patient. Through partnerships with some of the leading industry professionals, TreeD Filaments developed a brand-new range of materials, compliant with all the requirements of UNI EN 10993-5 European standard and therefore certified for skin contact.
Healthfil is already being used in the medical field, with stunning results.
Meeting Health Professionals’ Demands
During the R&D phase, TreeD partnered with several professionals pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with professional 3D printers and medical grade filaments. The team cooperated with Marco Avaro, a mechanical engineer specialized in biomechanical applications and member of Porzio Group, based in Udine. For the ideal mechanical properties, he turned to TreeD’s Structura MA, a polyamide carbon fiber composite.
It was created to combine lightweight properties with high mechanical strength; the addition of carbon fibers allows the production of structural supports with more advanced geometries and overcomes more constructive challenges than ever before. This makes Structura MA ideal for upper and lower limb prosthetics, Mobility supports, Structural support elements, Exoskeletal elements.
Another authority of the sector who partnered with TreeD is Dr. Lelio Leoncini, orthopedic and 3D modeler, who developed customized 3D printed busts to cure scoliosis. Dr. Leoncini began using 3D scanning, CAD and 3D printing to create the busts; the use of absolutely safe materials certified for skin contact was essential, and this was made possible with TreeD’s products.
The Fortis LL Filament for this type of applications is based on a polyolefin matrix that allows the combination of relative elasticity, elastic memory and enervation resistance, with high wear and laceration treshold. Its excellent lightweight properties make Fortis LL ideal for busts, corrective corsets, upper leg tutors.
Conceived to suit every medical need
TreeD Healthfil Line also includes several other materials with specific properties, for a wide variety of applications. The Verum T filament, for example, was developed to produce rigid elements with high tenacity properties that can be sterilized in autoclave at 125° C.
Medical applications requiring elasticity can turn instead to Elasto A, a polyester elastomeric, flexible material with a 92 shore A hardness, ideal for sealed gaskets for prosthetic vase and elastic joint elements. And again, Pure FT, a modified polyester elastomer with a 93 shore A hardness, enriched with a new generation antimicrobial material, for an impressive 99.9% efficiency, Ideal for orthopedic insoles.
The newest among tons of ideas
This is just the latest among TreeD Filaments specialized and unique creations; the Team has been working to stand out in the 3D market, with a wide range of high quality, almost additive-free products certified for different professional fields. The best example of what TreeD Filaments can do are the unmatched mechanical performances of the Technical Line, already offering many filaments specifically developed and certified for the Automotive sector and about to be expanded very soon with some brand new blends and compositions.
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