Black Novacast. Credit: Image courtesy of Investigación y Desarrollo
NovaCast is a device that prevents infections, ulcers and even amputation of limbs, is 10X lighter than the traditional material and allows a good ventilation. The use of plaster splints for the rehabilitation of bones can cause infections, ulcers and even amputations because their shape prevents proper medical inspection, sweat accumulates and generates little ventilation. To avoid these problems, a group of young graduates from the National University of Mexico (UNAM) created Mediprint, a Mexican startup that manufactures this medical devices to measure, using 3D printing devices.
“The material that conventional splints are made of is a highly hygroscopic plaster, meaning it absorbs sweat and causes the bacteria to proliferate because there is no ventilation,” said Zaid Musa Badwan. The main product is NovaCast, patented, an artifact made with 3D printing, replacing the traditional cast.
In addition, the engineer designed a software that allows to define the precise measures needed for the medical device without the need to make a 3D scan, “It only requires that the doctor enters the data and automatically generates the ideal geometry for the print “, this way the specialist can attend to other patients while the device is printed.
A new NovaCast is obtained in 3.5 hours depending on the size of the person. “We are doing research and development to reduce that time to just 1 hour. The next step is to take the technology to hospitals and increase the number of 3D printers, so the health centers can obtain surgical tool, custom templates or anatomical teaching models that replace the use of corpses”.
The startup was awarded first place in the Entrepreneurs (SEFI-UNAM) and StartUP Expo EmprendeTown (Mexico City’s government and Mexican-Lebanese Business Chamber) contests, it was also a winner of the UNITEC Award and finalist in the category of Biotechnology and Health of the Foundation Everis Madrid Award, an international competition for entrepreneurs. (Agencia ID) http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=163161&CultureCode=en
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