An example of a 3-D printed aortic valve with calcified areas highlighted in blue that Vital exhibited as the types of on-demand 3-D printing that can be done with its new service.
December 14, 2015 — Vital Images Inc. announced a partnership with Stratasys Ltd., a 3-D printing and additive manufacturing company, to develop an industry first print-on-demand service using Vital’s Vitrea advanced visualization software and Stratasys’ 3-D printing services.
The partnership was demonstrated with printed 3-D models featuring both company’s technology at both Stratasys’ and Vital’s booths at the 2015 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting.
“The advantage of offering this print-on-demand service to Vital’s global hospital and imaging center customers is that they can have best-of-breed technology available at their fingertips without first acquiring a 3-D printer,” said Jim Litterer, president and CEO at Vital. “In addition, they can have these capabilities using the software they are already accustomed to using in their daily practice.”
“We understand the importance of streamlining the use of 3-D printing in the clinical setting,” said Scott Rader, general manager, medical solutions at Stratasys. “Partnering with Vital to integrate our 3D printing capabilities leverages the strengths of the two companies, with the mutual goal of improving patient care and providing clinicians with the tools they need, when they need them.”
At RSNA, Vital showcased a Stratasys Objet260 Connex3 3-D Printer, which supports simultaneous multi-material, multi-color 3-D prints to mimic both the appearance and texture of patient anatomy. Vital’s Vitrea software takes patient scans and converts them into STL files for direct use with a 3-D printer. A range of anatomical models from actual patient studies, printed with the Objet260 Connex3, will be on display as well.
For more information: www.vitalimages.com, www.stratasys.com
February 01, 2024 
