Workshop: Revolutionising Healthcare - The Impact of 3D Printing

The event focused on the use of 3D-printing for manufacturing implants, devices and pharmaceuticals. Audience members heard from experts already operating in point-of-care manufacturing, who shared their experiences in this field – from the benefits and challenges of point-of-care manufacturing, through to space, sustainability and patient considerations.  

Expert speakers: 

• Dr Allan Ponniah, Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Royal Free London NHS Trust - highlighted the practical applications of 3D printing in reconstructive surgery, underlining its potential to enhance surgical outcomes and patient care.

• Dr Jim Ashworth-Beaumont, Senior Orthotist, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust - how 3D printing technology can play a pivotal role in this field, offering opportunities for customisation and improved patient outcomes.

• Dr Atanu Chaudhuri, Associate Professor of Technology and Operations Management, Durham University Business School - emphasised the importance of infrastructure and knowledge sharing in this transformative process.

• Florian Hess, PhD student, Merck - touched upon the potential of 3D printing to revolutionize pharmaceuticals, improving drug delivery and advancing clinical trials.

• Richard Evans, EMEA Business Development Manager Healthcare, and Stefan Leonhardt, Director Medical Devices, 3D Systems - both shared their journey of developing and implanting personalized medical devices. They highlighted the role of 3D printing in this process, from the conceptual stage to the final implementation of implants, underscoring the significance of collaboration. 

Hosted by Profs Mine Orlu (UCL School of Pharmacy) and Deepak Kalaskar (UCL Surgery and Interventional Sciences), the event was also an opportunity for participants to co-author a commentary article and be part of a new network of researchers and industry in this space.

Prof Mine Orlu opening the event

The event concluded with a panel discussion that underscored the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to overcome challenges and unlock the full potential of 3D printing in healthcare.

Following the event, the organisers aim to form a collaborative working group to promote cross-disciplinary partnerships and knowledge sharing amon stakeholders. Their goal is to develop a detailed roadmap for regulatory standards in 3D printing for healthcare applications. 

About the UCL Institute of Healthcare Engineering and the UCL Translational Research Office 

The UCL Institute of Healthcare Engineering brings together leading researchers to develop digital and medical technologies that transform lives across the globe. 

UCL Translational Research Office (TRO) is an integral part of UCL’s biomedical research powerhouse. As an expert team of applied scientists and business developers, they support UCL researchers in realising their translational ambition by offering strategic advice, funding support, and bridging the gap with industry to help establish collaborations that drive the pipeline of therapeutic, device and diagnostic innovations.