News

A technology company who has been working with the Yorkshire & Humber AHSN, has announced that it has achieved ISO 13485:2016 certification for its Quality Management System (QMS).

3D LifePrints, a leading 3D technology company providing innovative solutions to the medical sector, is now able to expand its industry-leading Point-of-Care model thanks to the certification, by launching a new range of patient-specific sterilisable Surgical Guides and Anatomical Models, whilst continuing to deliver its existing custom-made medical devices.

The certification is underpinned by 3D LifePrints’ Digital Platform Embedmed^TM. It includes the design and manufacture of sterilisable devices within a Controlled Environment in one of 3D LifePrints’ embedded Hubs.  This innovation brings the timeline for delivery of these type of devices down from weeks to days.

An internationally recognised standard of excellence, ISO 13485:2016 is a stringent set of guidelines for the medical device industry. The standard ensures that an organisation maintains its quality and compliance levels specific to the design, manufacture and distribution of medical devices.

Henry Pinchbeck, CEO says: “It has long been our goal to standardise our processes by adherence to this internationally recognised standard. The formal certification of our QMS opens up considerable market opportunities for the business and is a clear signal to our customers of the importance we attach to Quality Assurance and Patient Care.”

3D LifePrints’ primary focus is the supply of patient-specific 3D printed medical devices to organisations including hospitals, universities, and medical device manufacturers. Their current key Hubs include Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford, Wrightington Hospital in Greater Manchester and Leeds General Infirmary.

The company operates a unique operating model where the products are delivered As A Service from embedded Hubs within host institutions. The Point-of-Care service includes: bio-medical engineers; a range of advanced 3D printing hardware and a suite of software. The embedded nature enables the host institution to enjoy all of the benefits of having an ‘in-house’ service including ease of access to an engineer and immediate delivery of the devices.

The Yorkshire & Humber AHSN has been working with 3D LifePrints for several years helping them to facilitate local conversations, which led to them establishing a base in the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and becoming the first resident company in their in-hospital innovation pop-up hub.

Dr Neville Young, Director of Enterprise and Innovation, said: “The company’s persistence with their ideas and passion for the NHS has helped educate us as an AHSN about the opportunity 3D printing offers to the healthcare system and this recent success, receiving ISO accreditation, is a tremendous milestone in this field and exemplifies their commitment to providing a high quality product to the NHS.”