The Additive Manufacture of Patient‐tailored Finger Implants

Abstract

Standard finger implants, manufactured by conventional techniques (e.g. machining), as they are used today for patients suffering from inflammatoryrheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis, are lacking of individuality and long‐term stability. In this study here, a way to generate patient tailored finger implants based on XtremeCT technique is described. First finger implants are manufactured by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and illustrate the feasibility of manufacturing patient tailored implants with additional functionalities. A technical abstraction of the original 3D‐CAD file lead to major functional improvements by adjusting the stiffness of patient tailored implants to imitate bone. This results in less stress shielding and a better long‐term stability of the implant as it needs to be reconfirmed in further clinical studies.