Nick Dechev received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, Canada, in 2004, and joined the University of Victoria in 2005.  He is currently an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering and is presently Director of the Biomedical Engineering Program. Dr. Dechev’s research program involves biomedical system design with application areas centered on advanced hand prosthesis and bio-sensor design.  These areas include 3D printing of hand prosthesis, implantable sensor design for the acquisition of bio-signals, and wireless power transfer technology for implantable sensors. These projects aim at developing better methods for the control of advanced hand prosthesis.  He is also the Executive Director of the Victoria Hand Project, a non-profit dedicated to providing hand prostheses to amputees in need in developing countries. Dr. Dechev will be a speaker at the #3DHEALS2020.

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like?

Nick: First encounter was 16 years ago with a stereolithography system. It was a huge machine, and cost around half a million dollars! It made an impressive prototype part about the size of a cup made of polycarbonate, but it was expensive. The more recent encounter was with FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) about 7 years ago in the laboratories at the University of Victoria. The FDM system really amazed me, since the machine was only around $6000, and even though the parts produced were very coarse (thick layers) and brittle, I saw the potential given the low cost.

Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing ?

Nick: The journey for the Victoria Hand Project started as a research project. That research project, in turn, was started by my personal motivation to help create technologies for people with health and disability issues.

Jenny: Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing (bio-printing/bio-fabrication)? This can be a mentor, a patient, a celebrity, anyone basically. You can name more than one as well.
Nick: My inspiration comes from various people I work with, who push the edge of technological advancement, including many colleagues at the University of Victoria. As well, the incredibly talented and dedicated team of Range of Motion Project, headed by David Krupa, CPO, and Eric Neufeld, CPO.

Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?
Nick: As a design engineer, I enjoy cross-mixing technologies, to enable/create new possibilities. Technologies all build upon each other, like a set of inter-linked pieces. Connecting these together, and sometimes creating new technology from scratch, is exciting and drives my work and research.

Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?
Nick: Finding enough talented and motivated people! Since Victoria Hand Project is a non-profit, this task is even more challenging. Monetary incentives are not the motivation for recruitment, which is a hurdle.  Solutions for this are various.  Finding people who will donate their time and experience may mean: alignment of mutual interests, providing knowledge, training, and experience to them, providing recognition of their efforts, or various other means.

Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?
Nick: Materials, Materials, Materials! The robotics and machinery of 3D printers are well developed and are already phenomenally low cost. Its time for major advances in the materials used for 3D printing, to improve strength, durability, and other properties.  Also, its time to move beyond just 3D prototyping, into limited-run (low batch) fabrication of end-use products.  That’s exactly what the medical industry needs.

Jenny: If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?
Nick:
a. A sustainable world, with food, water, and resources for everyone
b. World peace
c. A seat on a mission to Mars 🙂

Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?
Nick:
a.Take many calculated risks early on in your career, when you have little to lose.
b.Share your ideas with others to get valuable feedback. There is way more to gain by getting early feedback on your idea, than worrying about someone stealing the idea.

Jenny: What were/was the best investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication?
Nick: FDM printing technology. Its low-cost, durable, easily serviceable hardware, works under various conditions and produces field ready parts.

Jenny: What was/is the biggest risk you took in your career?
Nick: Branching into new areas of research where I previously have zero experience. This has led to some of my biggest successes.

Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?
Nick: Technology design and creation. Its blend of my work and personal interests.

Jenny: What is your favorite quote? Why?

Nick: “Just do it” by Nike. With so many daily tasks, there are 100 reasons not to do something important that needs to be done. Find your priority and “just do it!”

Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you? =)

Nick: 3D printing enabling healthcare and medicine.

The post Interview: Dr. Nick Dechev, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Engineering, and is presently Director of the Biomedical Engineering Program appeared first on 3DHeals.

Chaw Sing Ho is the co-founding Managing Director of NAMIC (National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster), a Singapore government initiative to catalyze innovation and scale industrial adoption of additive manufacturing technologies. By focusing on industrial applications and translational R&D, together with commercial strategies to co-create innovative products and services, the national initiative aims to position Singapore as one of the leading digital manufacturing hubs in the era of digitalization and smart factories. Since its inception two years ago, NAMIC has raised more than $24 million in public-private funding to support various AM initiatives across industry verticals.
Prior to NAMIC, he oversaw IP Innovation Strategic Partnerships at HP Singapore. Before that, he was the global head of manufacturing supply chain operations and product innovation for the consumer inkjet supplies business in HP. Chaw Sing started his career in the semiconductor industry with Chartered Semiconductor and Globalfoundries, where he undertook various leadership and customer-facing roles in technology development and engineering operations.

Chaw Sing holds a doctorate in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Bachelor’s (honors) degree in Electrical Engineering majoring in Microelectronics from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is an avid inventor with several US/international patents. An advocate for 3D Printing and its role in the new economy, he has spoken in various forums and workshops. He mentors a number of start-ups in the digital and healthcare space. He sits on a number of advisory and expert committees and is an appointed mentor under the GE Digital ASEAN Startup and Partner Program. He is personally interested in nurturing deep tech start-ups, as well as advancing STEM education and engineering as a profession. In his free time, he enjoys sports, movies, reading, and spending time with his family.  Dr. Chaw Sing Ho will be a speaker at 3DHEALS2020. 

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?

Chaw Sing: My first serious encounter with 3D Printing was in 2011. I was responsible for business operations in HP back then. We had a skunk work unit in which engineers would spend some of their time trying new ideas that could be turned into new businesses. 3D printing was one of them.

Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing?

Chaw Sing: I was offered the opportunity to start NAMIC in 2015. This is a Singapore government initiative to drive the national 3D printing industrialization strategy and implementation. We focus on technology translation and commercialization for industrial applications. We leverage on our publicly funded research institutions in this space and other adjacent technologies, such as robotics, VR/AR, to accelerate value capture in our industries. We have an industry vertical approach to map sector pain-points and develop customized blueprints to accelerate 3D printing adoption for each industry. The enablers for any technology towards mass adoption is that it must be accessible, cost-effective and practical. 3D printing has come a long way since its rapid prototyping days, and I believe the technology is now at the stage where it can benefit the world in a big way, especially for the medical community and improve patient outcomes.

Jenny: Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing?  

Chaw Sing: There are many examples. Doctors from India and China, who have successfully used 3D printed parts for patient-specific implants, surgical tools, and pre-surgical models for better patient outcomes. Regenerative medicine with 3D printed tissue and organs is the holy grail. In the US, Anthony Atala from Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, with the first printed ear and kidney. Dr. Jonathan Morris from Mayo Clinic is another. The ability of the Mayo Clinic doctors to have 3D printed models for pre-surgical preparation has helped lower surgery complications, reduce patient costs, and improve patient outcomes.

Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?

Chaw Sing: Besides my family, the knowledge that I make a difference to people and the industries I am supporting.

Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?

Chaw Sing: Unnecessary bureaucracy. Polarizing opinions are driven by people with different agendas. Changing the mindset of people and businesses. These are not showstoppers but pose challenges nonetheless. My approach is to focus on the business value proposition and end objective. Focus on the customers. Engage pro-actively. Gain buy-in. Never give up. The process is always a means to an end.

Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?

Chaw Sing: For personalized implants i.e. in orthopedics, the technology is ready. However, it is still early days for 3D printed tissue/organs. More needs to be done before it becomes mainstream in regenerative medicine. The routes to conformance will always be a hurdle, but this is a needed process between the medical community, businesses, as well as regulations to safeguard public safety. Being able to progress quickly where obviously there are no better solutions is desirable from a patient outcome perspective. More collaboration among the research and medical communities, establishing standards, will be key to more mainstream adoption in the medical industry.

Jenny: If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?

Chaw Sing: No wars – not in any part of the world. Less inequality in the world. More affordable healthcare, especially for the underprivileged. Medical cost is increasing everywhere. There is too much poverty in the world. We need to start thinking of ourselves as humanity first, and not the notion of nationalities and borders and religion.

Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?

Chaw Sing: Make a difference and impact. Don’t make a living.

Jenny: If you could have a giant billboard to promote a message to millions and even billions of people in our community (i.e. healthcare 3D printing and bio-fabrication), what message would that be?

Chaw Sing: “3DHeals will help improve your lives”

Jenny: What was the best investment you made in 3D printing?

Chaw Sing: My current job. I live and breathe 3D printing every day. More importantly, I get to be involved in forums like 3DHEALS, where I meet like-minded people with a passion for this technology.

Jenny: What were/was the worst investment you made in 3D printing?

Chaw Sing: None so far. This is a growing industry. I think 3D printing technology has the potential to transform every sector and our lives.

Jenny: What was the biggest risk you took in your career?

Chaw Sing: Asking for new roles when things are going well. I have always adopted the principle that never gets too comfortable in your job. Once you do, find new roles. You must be comfortable being uncomfortable. Joining the public sector after having spent so many years in the private sector was a big change for me. I see it as a needed phase to relearn and reboot. I am enjoying it so far.

Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?

Chaw Sing: I enjoy spending time with my family. I have three young boys. They are at an age where they still need me. Their activities keep me busy, especially on the weekends. Whatever time I have left, I enjoy running, reading, music, and the movies.

Jenny: What is your favorite quote? Why?

Chaw Sing: I have quite a few, but Stephen Hawking’s musings, come closest to what I think about a lot since I was a kid.
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious… And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up… We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the universe. That makes us something very special.”
It is a reminder to make the best of what we have, and think deeply about how we can impact our community and perhaps humanity in our own positive ways. Not everyone can be Elon Musk or Bill Gates, who have managed to achieve so much within their lifetimes, to advance humanity by creating impactful legacies with their businesses. We can all make a difference.

Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you? =)

Chaw Sing: I have the firm belief that 3D printing/bioprinting will enable new paradigms in healthcare solutions that will benefit the medical and patient communities. I think the word “3DHEALS” sums that up.

The post Interview: Dr. Chaw Sing Ho, Co-Founding Managing Director of NAMIC (National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster) 🗺 appeared first on 3DHeals.

Want to write a piece for 3DHEALS Expert Corner? Email us: info@3dheals.com

In many developing countries, amputees do not have access to a usable prosthetic device. Often times, there is a major lack of resources and conventional prosthetics are too expensive for amputees to afford. The Victoria Hand Project (VHP) makes low-cost, 3D printed prosthetic devices and works with local communities to get proper prosthetic care to the people that need it.

Amputees may want a prosthetic device for many different reasons. For some people, missing limbs can lead to low self-esteem and social exclusion from the community. For others, it can make it difficult to find and maintain meaningful employment. For all, it can make eating, cooking, dressing, and washing challenging to complete. By providing amputees with a usable prosthetic device, confidence is increased, employment can be found and everyday tasks can be carried out without assistance. 

The Victoria Hand is a complete body-powered prosthesis consisting of a hand, a wrist, a limb-socket, and a harness and costs only $240 USD to print, assemble and fit. As a comparison, conventional prosthetic devices can cost thousands of dollars. The Victoria Hand has high functionality, natural appearance, and is custom-made to fit each amputee. 

VHP’s approach has three key features: 

(1) setup of a production/fabrication center and training to make 3D printed prostheses on-site within developing countries; 

(2) training and working with clinical intermediaries and medical practitioners to provide professional care for amputees; 

(3) on-going operations support for both the 3D Print Group and the Clinical Care Group. 

Not only are amputees able to get replacement parts easily and on-demand, but the local economy is supported by creating jobs for people living in the country. 

All of this is made possible with 3D-printing technology! The Victoria Hand Project first began as a Master’s project in 2001 by the Executive Director of the project, Dr. Nikolai Dechev, while at the University of Toronto. Dr. Dechev wanted to create a hand capable of adaptive grasp so amputees could have a device that had a more mechanical function, could grip onto objects better and looked more natural. The hand was ground-breaking but, as it was originally machined from metal, cost thousands of dollars to manufacture. It wasn’t until 3D printing became readily available that the hand was looked at again. 3D printing paved the way for the success of the project, with parts manufactured at a fraction of the original price. 

Grand Challenges Canada provided a grant in September 2014 to further the research and, in February 2015, the first trials in Guatemala began, with patients testing the 3D-printed Victoria Hand for up to eight weeks. The users not only gave insightful feedback but also loved the hand, asking to keep it after testing was done. This sparked the idea for the Victoria Hand Project—a non-profit organization that could develop a high-quality, low-price prosthesis for the developing world. Established officially in July 2015, VHP has since partnered in seven different countries around the world and fit over 100 amputees with trans-radial (below elbow) and trans-humeral (above the elbow) upper-limb prosthetic devices.

The Victoria Hand is currently available in seven countries worldwide

A woman in Cambodia uses the Victoria Hand to wash dishes

Kevin from Guatemala holding a 3D printed ball with his 3D printed prosthetic hand

With feedback from the in-country partner groups, prosthetists and amputees, VHP works to make the device even better and more user-friendly. VHP’s mission is to provide upper-limb prosthetics to amputees in need, and hope the future brings chances to help many more amputees across the world!

See some of the newest innovations, including a Child’s Hand and a Force Doubler, at VictoriaHandProject.com

About the Author

Kelly Knights is a fourth-year biomedical engineering student at the University of Victoria who has been volunteering with the Victoria Hand Project since September 2016. Kelly completed a co-op work term with the Victoria Hand project in Fall 2018, where she assisted with the design, development, and testing of the new Force Doubler device and the Child’s Hand. Kelly has also been involved with media outreach, the creation of training documentation and assembly of the Victoria Hand. 

The post A Helping Hand to Those in Need—Improving the World with 3D Printing appeared first on 3DHeals.

Last November,  Frankfurt, Germany received the biggest crowd in Additive Manufacturing. Formnext2018 is the major showcase for the AM technology and its accessories. Formnext 2018 filled two halls of Frankfurt Messe, which means a double than last year.

Additive manufacturing is becoming more mature, we can now produce final components in polymers or metals in quantities that make sense in the manufacturing world. In addition, we have full control of this new process, full production was the tone of the show. Machine builders showcased features about fast builds, parts quantities measured in pieces per year, and process automation like heat treatment and build plate management inside the machines.  Most of the demo parts were fully filled build plates.

Picture Courtesy of Materialise

On the healthcare side, companies presented equipment capable of making biomodels with multiple textures and materials, models that can simulate surgical procedures perfectly; polymer cutting guides to make precise bone resections;  equipment capable of making polymer and metal implants with the right geometry, properties, and osseointegration;and computer systems capable of create shapes based on human body physiology.

Most current build preparation systems, with optional functions or not, can simulate the build process with good precision and geometrical correction about the thermal, stress, and supports displacement, in laser powder bed fusion process. Similar systems will be available to other AM process soon. New supports calculation algorithms are making the built more stable and repeatable. DED and EBM processes are being supported by some systems and should have the same coverage as FDM and LPBF processes in a short time.

What is called by the industry post processing, I call finishing,  are advancing fast. Things like automated support removal, build plate separation, heat treatment and surface finish are being really integrated into the chain and had a big exposure in the show.

ASTM and ISO held a joint workshop discussing the standards development for additive, all the most important officers of both organizations were present and a good panel with the biggest standards specialists in industry discussed the main challenges we face while developing it.

Additive manufacturing is a new technology, now available for the manufacturing of real-life products. AM has the innovation capacity for any sector, from fixture devices to medical devices,  aerospace parts, to tooling and production equipment to complete final automotive components. AM should no longer be seen as a substitute to well-established process that make products properly with well-adjusted supply chains. It is important to keep in mind that AM is initial, final and complimentary to processes like machining and injection molding in making large quantities of parts. These traditional processes have precision requirements not met by metal AM yet. By being a polymeric or metallurgical process, AM   has its limitations and needs proper use.

Additive Manufacturing is a process to add to the traditional manufacturing process. It must be integrated into the factories, must be understood and developed. Yes, additive machines and systems have its “marvelous” features as well as challenges, but our industry will progress to implement and improve itself. We can soon experience an exponential jump to better-designed products and massively improved manufacturing. Formnext2018 confirmed we are on the right path!

About the Author:

Fabio Sant’Ana has Precision Mechanics degree and Business Administration Bachelor’s , born and raised in São Paulo he has 25 years experience in helping companies to aquire and take full advantage of 3d Machining and Additive Manufacturing Equipment . Entrepreneur and knowledge avid is member of stardarts organizations ASTM F42 Additive Manufacturing , ABNT CEE-261 Manufatura Aditiva e ABNT CB-26 Odonto-Médico-Hospitalar . CAD/CAM , Surface Modelling and EBM specialist he is passionate in connect people and companies to the right tools to accomplish the mission.

The post Formnext 2018 Healthcare: Production is the Key appeared first on 3DHeals.

Dr. Jae Yoo has been focused on the application of 3DP in R & D and pharmaceutical manufacturing. His 3DP journey began at MIT in the early 1990s, where he developed and used a 3DP process based on inkjet printing to produce advanced ceramic materials with a composition gradient. He will be a speaker at the healthcare 3D printing panel during in(3D)ustry event in Barcelona with 3DHEALS.

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?

Jae:  Fall of 1991.  I was a first-year graduate student at MIT.  I was attending a new graduate student reception for the Materials Science Department when Prof. Michael Cima (one of the fathers of binder jetting at MIT along with Prof. Ely Sachs) described the process to me.  It first sounded improbable, then interesting, then magical.  I ended up spending the next five years under Prof. Cima for my Ph.D. dissertation.

Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing (bio-fabrication/bio-printing)?

Jae:  I finished my doctoral thesis defense on a Friday afternoon in June of 1996.  I started working for Therics Inc., one of the licensees of MIT’s 3DP process, on a Monday morning.  Applying the process to help patients live healthier and longer seemed like the best use of my Ph.D. work.  While at Therics, I ended up exploring a wide range of applications including tissue repair and drug delivery systems.  When Therics decided to only focus on tissue repair products, I took the plunge with a couple of colleagues to start Aprecia Pharmaceuticals to continue pursuing the goal of commercializing 3D printed pharmaceutical products.

ZipDose piller

copyright: researchgate

Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?

Jae:  Commercializing 3D printed pharmaceutical dosage form involves many challenges.  Speeding up the 3DP process to pharmaceutically relevant throughput level required re-imagining a batch process into one that behaves continuously in some ways.  Ensuring that all 3D printed dosage forms exhibit critical quality attributes not only when produced, but in various storage conditions for years required an enormous level of testing and careful process control.  Paving the regulatory pathway as the first (and currently the only) FDA approved pharmaceutical product took much planning and commitment to see things through.  Aprecia’s solutions involved (and continues to involve) monitoring and controlling of key inputs into the system, process parameters, and extensive documentation thereof.

Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?

Jae:  Distributed manufacturing of personalized dosage units may be the Holy Grail of pharmaceutical 3D printing.  It presents challenges in reliability, security, PAT (process analytical technology), and regulatory acceptance.  Significant gaps exist in PAT that can effectively replace QC analysts with in-line, real-time release of products coming off of 3DP-based production systems.

Jenny:  What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?

Jae:  Invest 75 minutes of your time and watch Prof. Randy Pausch’s “Last Lecture” (the long form given at Carnegie Mellon, not the abridged version through Oprah show).

Jenny: If you could have a giant billboard to promote a message to millions and even billions of people in our community , what message would that be?

Jae:  Future is already here.  It is just not evenly distributed yet. William Gibson

Jenny: What were/was the best investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication?

Jae:  Training intelligent, hardworking young engineers to think through about the effects of each input and process parameters on the output of the 3DP process.

Jenny: What were/was the worst investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication?

Jae:  First full-scale harvester (for separating unprinted powder from finished tablets in a binder jetting process) we designed and built had a very short useful life.  Not long after building the first harvester, we identified simpler, faster, and more effective way to accomplish the task.

Jenny: What was/is the biggest risk you took in your career?

Jae:  Leaving a relatively comfortable position at Therics, a company that was pioneering 3D printed tissue repair products, to start Aprecia Pharmaceuticals in 2003 was a huge leap.  We knew we had to solve the throughput problem to become relevant in the pharma industry.  Although we did not know exactly how to speed up the process then, I had confidence that Hank (Dr. Henry Surprenant, my mentor/colleague/co-founder) and I would find a way.  It worked out and we achieved more than a hundredfold increase in throughput.

Jenny: What is your favorite quote? Why? Man in the arena by Theodore Roosevelt

Jae:  “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

It reminds me what it takes to get things done and how easy it is to become a critic.

The post Interview: Jae Yoo, Chief Technology Officer, Aprecia Pharmaceuticals Co. appeared first on 3DHeals.

“What inspired me was a story published in 2012 about Emma’s experience with a 3D printed WREX Exoskeleton (to Emma, the WREX Exoskeleton was her “Magic Arms”) that changed her entire life. Words cannot describe the impact it made deep within me so below is a link of the story in youtube.com [Watch: here]”

 
Sean Looi is the General Manager of Creatz3D Pte Ltd, the authorized distributor of Stratasys™ 3D printing systems and materials in Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Creatz3D’s additive manufacturing solutions also include Arcam™ for production of metal components as well as Materialise™ Rapid Prototyping Softwares.
Despite majoring in MSc Finance, Sean’s passion for 3D printing opened the door of opportunity of distributing 3D printing technologies in 2007. His knowledge in various manufacturing practices placed him in a favorable position to advice on advanced solutions for direct digital manufacturing.
Sean’s accumulated technical experience with a variety of different 3D printing machines, technologies, and applications, across all industry sectors, helped him to gain foresight into the macroeconomy of additive manufacturing potential.
In return, Sean has been actively helping companies various sectors think more critically, innovate better to improve workflow and is highly respected in the local Additive Manufacturing committee. With over 6 years of experience in the industry, Sean is a regularly invited keynote speaker in various local institutions and events.

Sean Looi will be a speaker at the Singapore event

Jenny: When was the first encounter you had with 3D printing? What was that experience like? What were you thinking at that moment?
Sean: The first encounter was back in 2011 with the Polyjet Technology by then Objet (now Stratasys). I was amazed by the quality of the printed part and how the technology can be applied across a wide range of industries. And from there, I believe that the technology is here to stay and transform the way that manufacturing is done.
Jenny: What inspired you to start your journey in 3D printing (bio-fabrication/bio-printing)?
Sean: Our company, Creatz3D, started in bio-printing in 2013 where we started distributing regenHU’s range of bio-printer. But prior to that, we’ve worked with other research institutions on 3D printing in the area of models for surgical planning. We’ve also started a medical division producing models for education purposes as well as surgical planning since 1 Jan 2017.
Jenny: Who inspired you the most along this journey in 3D printing (bio-printing/bio-fabrication)? This can be a mentor, a patient, a celebrity, anyone basically. You can name more than one as well.
Sean: What inspired me was a story published in 2012 about Emma’s experience with a 3D printed WREX Exoskeleton (to Emma, the WREX Exoskeleton was her “Magic Arms”) that changed her entire life. Words cannot describe the impact it made deep within me so below is a link of the story in youtube.com [Watch: here]
Jenny: What motivates you the most for your work?
Sean: Within the medical field, the sense that 3D printing can help contribute and improve the outcome of medical procedure thus positively impact the patient.
Jenny: What is/are the biggest obstacle(s) in your line of work? If you have conquered them, what were your solutions?
Sean: Resistance to change. In both industrial and medical communities, change is difficult for all individuals. But through the years, 3D printing has been gradually accepted in the medical community albeit at a slower pace in comparison to other developed countries.
Jenny: What do you think is (are) the biggest challenge(s) in 3D Printing/bio-printing? What do you think the potential solution(s) is (are)?
Sean: Specifically, to bio-printing, the potential is huge when we are discussing printing out patient-specific organs etc… But this is also the challenge. Why? Everyone is focused on the future and neglecting the short-term impact that 3D printing can make right now. Such as:

• 3D Printed education models can aid medical education institution and hospitals in providing better simulation and education of not only actual patient scenarios but also rare and complex conditions.
• The benefits that have been seen both for the patient as well as the surgeons that patient-specific models and implants can help in improving surgical outcomes.
• The potential relief of the tremendous strain that is present in the medical community, both on a manpower level and on an economic level. Where with the integration of 3D Printing in both the educational and hospital level, junior doctors can be trained in a quickening pace through better increased surgical practice with 3D Printed simulation model. Where experienced doctors can have a better alignment as well as pre-surgical planning before the operation, allowing for minimally invasive procedures to be discovered, reducing surgical time and reducing post-op visits for the patients.

Jenny: If you are granted three wishes by a higher being, what would they be?
Sean:

1. The full integration of 3D Printing technologies into the medical community, this can be in the area of Medical Simulation Models (2) Pre-Surgical Models (3) Patient-specific surgical guides (4) Patient-Specific Implants. Ideally, a 1-click process from CT/MRI to 3D printed parts.
2. The realization of the full potential of bio-printing, where we will be able to print “spare” organs of every individual through the harvesting of their stem cells to reduce rejections.
3. A medical hub that would be able to consolidate all 3D Printing technologies into a consolidated point to serve the medical community in Singapore and southeast Asia.

Jenny: What advice would you give to a smart driven college student in the “real world”? What bad advice you heard should they ignore?
Sean: I think a good advice would be to never give up on something that you believe, every up and coming product/ technology/ idea are bound to meet resistance in every aspect. The most important thing is that for yourself to never give up on what you believe this technology will help in.
Jenny: If you could have a giant billboard to promote a message to millions and even billions of people in our community (i.e. healthcare 3D printing and bio-fabrication), what message would that be?
Sean: In order for us to get a different result, you have to do something different.
Jenny: What were/was the best/worst investment you made in 3D printing/bio-printing/bio-fabrication?
Sean: Getting my hands dirty into 3D Printing. This includes time & money etc… you cannot learn about the technology and its usage from afar.
Jenny: What was/is the biggest risk you took in your career?
Sean: The biggest risk was switching to a career from finance to industrial equipment. It was a totally different job scope and industry but a fulfilling one as it lead me to 3D printing.
Jenny: What do you enjoy in your spare time? What are you passionate about outside of your work/3d printing?
Sean: Spending quality time with my family.
Jenny: What is your favorite quote? Why?
Sean: It is always a chicken and an egg situation, wherein most of the cases of implementation, two parties are always looking at each other to start the ball rolling. However, whom to take the first step forward would be the main pushing factor in driving new industry standards or initiatives.
Jenny: What does the word “3DHEALS” mean to you?  =)
Sean: 3D Printing technologies that are utilized and adopt by trained medical professionals to be used in healing patients and improving their quality of life.

The post Interview: Sean Looi, General Manager of Creatz3D Pte Ltd appeared first on 3DHeals.

马丹军，中科院生化细胞所博士，美国韦恩州立大学博士后，助理研究员，蛋白质组实验室主任。2016年回国创建清紫生物科技（深圳）有限公司，2017年获得深圳市科创委国际合作项目资助（压电陶瓷材料增材制造的关键技术研发）。入选深圳市孔雀人才计划，担任“上海巴斯德麒麟众创空间”创业导师。发表文章二十余篇，专利8项。
Danjun Ma, Ph.D., Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology,  Postdoctoral Fellow, Research Assistant Professor, Director of the Proteomics Laboratory at Wayne State University, USA. In 2016, Dr. Ma returned to China to establish Qingzi Biotechnology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., and in 2017, he was funded by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Commission International Cooperation Project. The key technology research and development of piezoelectric ceramic materials additive manufacturing). To be selected “the Shenzhen Peacock Talent Program”, and as the “Shanghai Pasteur Kirin Zhongchuang Space” entrepreneurial mentor in 2018. Dr. Ma has published more than 20 papers in peer-reviewed journals and submitted 8 patent application.

Dr. Danjun Ma will be a speaker at the Shanghai event!

Jenny: 您第一次接触3D打印是什么时候？在什么情况下？那一刻的感受是什么？
When was the first time you touched 3D printing? under what conditions? What was the feeling at that moment?
Danjun: 2015年，参观深圳的3D打印创业公司，感受是新鲜，好玩。
In 2015, I visited the 3D printing startup company in Shenzhen. It was new and fun.
Jenny: 是什么因素促使您开始研究或从事3D打印（生物制造/生物打印）？
What prompted you to start research or engage in 3D printing (biological manufacturing/bioprinting)?
Danjun: 在生物系统中有一些复杂的东西是不容易实现的，例如一些植入物，支架等等。但是3D打印有可能比较容易的实现。
Danjun: There are some very complex biological systems that are not easy to replicate or design for, such as implants, stents, and the like. But 3D printing may it easier to implement.
Jenny: 在从事3D打印（生物打印/生物制造）的过程中，谁对您的影响最大？是导师、病人、名人，还是其他人？您可以说出一个或多个。
Who is most affected by you in the process of 3D printing (biological printing / bio-manufacturing)? Is it a mentor, a patient, a celebrity, or someone else? You can say one or more.
Danjun: 更多的是看文献。
Danjun: I learned the most from the works of literature.
Jenny: 激励您从事3D打印的因素是什么？
What are the factors that motivate you to engage in 3D printing?
Danjun: 能对传统的生物医学的研究有帮助。
Danjun: It can help with traditional biomedical research.
Jenny: 您工作中最大的障碍是什么？如果您已经克服了这些障碍，您用的是什么方法？
What is the biggest obstacle in your work? If you have overcome these obstacles, what method do you use?
Danjun: 技术手段还是比较单一。
Danjun: The technical means are still relatively monolithic.

Jenny: 您认为“3D打印/生物打印”的最大挑战是什么？应对这些挑战的潜在解决方案是什么？
What do you think is the biggest challenge of “3D printing / bio-printing”? What are the potential solutions to these challenges?
Danjun: 具有功能的类器官或大器官的打印。更好的，更多的交叉研究，将3D技术手段和生物学结合，现在从事这个方面的工作还是太初级。
Danjun: Printing of functional organs or large organs. Better, more cross-disciplinary research, combining 3D technology with biology. The current works in this area are still too primitive.
Jenny: 针对“现实生活”，您给大学生的建议是什么？您觉得什么样的建议是不可取的，是他们不应采纳的？
What are your suggestions for college students for “real life”? What kind of advice do you think is not advisable, they should not adopt it?
Danjun: 多尝试，不要被学科束缚，未来大概率属于懂得更多学科的交叉型人才。
Danjun: Try more, don’t be bound by the discipline, and the big probability in the future belongs to the cross-discipline talents who are not monolithic.
Jenny: 如果您有机会通过一个巨大的广告牌，向我们这个行业（如：医疗3D打印和生物制造）的数百万人，甚至数亿人宣传一个理念，您会在这个广告牌上写一条什么样的信息？
If you have the opportunity to promote a concept to millions of people in our industry (eg medical 3D printing and bio-manufacturing) through a huge billboard, what would you write on this billboard? Information?
Danjun: 生物制造在未来的场景吧。那个场景应该很震撼。应该拍一个在未来的短片。
Danjun: Bio-manufacturing in the future. That scene should be impressive. You should take a short film in the future.
Jenny: 您职业生涯中曾遭遇的最大风险是什么？
What is the biggest risk you have encountered in your career?
Danjun: 最大的风险总是在明天。
Danjun: The biggest risk is always tomorrow.
Jenny: 您的业余爱好是什么？在您的工作/3D打印之外，您对什么最有兴趣？
What is your hobby? What are you most interested in outside of your work/3D printing?
Danjun: 旅行，锻炼。工作之余陪家人最重要。
Danjun: Travel, exercise. It is most important to spend time with your family after work.
Jenny: 您的人生格言是什么？为什么?
What is your life motto? why?
Danjun: 没有人生格言。有道理的话太多。
Danjun: There is no life motto. There are too many wise words out there.
 

The post Interview: Dr. Danjun Ma, Qingzi Biotechnology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. appeared first on 3DHeals.

史俊，副主任医师/副教授/医学博士，上海交通大学医学院附属第九人民医院。 中华口腔医学会口腔颌面外科专科会员，中华口腔医学会口腔种植专科会员，上海市口腔医学会口腔颌面外科专业委员会青年委员，国际内固定协会（AO/ASIF）会员，国际内固定协会（AO/ASIF）亚太地区讲师1993年9月至2000年7月就读于于上海交通大学医学院（原上海第二医科大学），毕业后获口腔医学硕士学位。其后于上海交通大学医学院附属第九人民医院口腔颌面外科工作至今，主要从事口腔颌面部畸形的治疗的临床和科研工作。2003年9月至2006年6月，于上海交通大学医院原攻读口腔临床医学博士学位，师从中国工程院院士邱蔚六教授； 2008年赴德国Hannover大学进修。
史俊医师在口腔颌面部畸形的治疗和研究中具丰富工作经历，同时在应用医学图像分割、三维重建、口腔颌面外科手术导航等领域积累了丰富的研究经验。目前已发表第一作者论文11篇，参编著作3部。 主持上海市局级科研项目2项，国家教育部科研项目1项。
Shi Jun, Deputy Chief Physician/Associate Professor/Medical Doctor, Ninth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Member of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the Chinese Stomatological Association, member of the Oral Implantology Specialist of the Chinese Stomatological Association, Young Member of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Committee of the Shanghai Stomatological Association, Member of the International Association of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF), International Association of Internal Fixation ( AO/ASIF) Asia-Pacific lecturer studied at Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from September 1993 to July 2000 (formerly Shanghai Second Medical University) and obtained a master’s degree in stomatology after graduation. Later, he worked in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Ninth People’s Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. He is mainly engaged in the clinical and scientific research of the treatment of oral and maxillofacial deformities. From September 2003 to June 2006, he studied for a doctoral degree in oral clinical medicine at Shanghai Jiaotong University Hospital. He studied under Professor Qiu Weiliu of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. In 2008, he went to Hannover University in Germany for further study. Dr. Shi Jun has a wealth of work experience in the treatment and research of oral and maxillofacial deformities and has accumulated rich research experience in the fields of medical image segmentation, three-dimensional reconstruction, oral and maxillofacial surgery navigation. At present, 11 first author papers have been published and 3 books have been edited. He has presided over 2 Shanghai-level scientific research projects and 1 research project of the Ministry of Education.

Dr. Shi Jun will be a speaker at the Shanghai event!

Jenny: 您第一次接触3D打印是什么时候？在什么情况下？那一刻的感受是什么？
When was the first time you touched 3D printing? under what conditions? What was the feeling at that moment?
Dr. Shi: 2003，一个复杂的面部外伤畸形病例，打印了一个纸质的头颅。立体影刷啊，很厉害的样子，跟传统的平面打印不一样哦。A new era begins. 但是，打印出来的stuff只能看看，临床的作用还不大。
Dr. Shi: In 2003, We 3D- printed a paper skull for a complex case of facial trauma. The three-dimensional structure is very impressive visually, and definitely not the same as traditional flat print. A new era begins. However, the 3d-printed models can only be used as a visual tool, the clinical role was not significant.
Jenny: 是什么因素促使您开始研究或从事3D打印（生物制造/生物打印）？
What prompted you to start research or engage in 3D printing (biological manufacturing/bioprinting)?

Dr. Shi: 博士课题开始于2004年初，做得是FEA。课题组的合作伙伴后来主要研发三维打印材料和工艺，并有了共同的科研小组。
Dr. Shi: I started my Ph.D. program in early 2004 and was done as FEA. The team’s partners later developed three-dimensional printed materials and processes, and a collaborative research team.
Jenny: 在从事3D打印（生物打印/生物制造）的过程中，谁对您的影响最大？是导师、病人、名人，还是其他人？您可以说出一个或多个。
Who is most affected by you in the process of 3D printing (biological printing / bio-manufacturing)? Is it a mentor, a patient, a celebrity, or someone else? You can say one or more.

Dr. Shi: 合作伙伴。姜闻博博士。
Dr. Shi:  Partners. Dr. Jiang Wenbo.
Jenny: 激励您从事3D打印的因素是什么？
What are the factors that motivate you to engage in 3D printing?

Dr. Shi: 发展越来越快，越来越能贴近临床应用，并获得良好的疗效。
Dr. Shi: The development of 3D printing technology is getting faster and faster, and there are more and more clinical applications with better clinical results.
Jenny: 您工作中最大的障碍是什么？如果您已经克服了这些障碍，您用的是什么方法？
What is the biggest obstacle in your work? If you have overcome these obstacles, what method do you use?

Dr. Shi: 无法合法合规的应用打印的医疗器械。貌似无法克服。
Dr. Shi:  A Lack of standardization and regulation to properly produce 3D-printed medical devices. We have not overcome that barrier. 
Jenny: 您认为“3D打印/生物打印”的最大挑战是什么？应对这些挑战的潜在解决方案是什么？
What do you think is the biggest challenge of “3D printing / bio-printing”? What are the potential solutions to these challenges?
Dr. Shi: 生物打印方面，理想的打印体系研发很重要。材料科学的快递进步和创新很重要。
Dr. Shi: In terms of bioprinting, the development of an ideal bioprinting process is very important. Faster material science innovation in this area is very important.
Jenny: 如果您有机会通过一个巨大的广告牌，向我们这个行业（如：医疗3D打印和生物制造）的数百万人，甚至数亿人宣传一个理念，您会在这个广告牌上写一条什么样的信息？
If you have the opportunity to promote a concept to millions of people in our industry (eg medical 3D printing and bio-manufacturing) through a huge billboard, what would you write on this billboard? Information?

Dr. Shi: Expand your touch via tech.
Jenny: 您职业生涯中曾遭遇的最大风险是什么？
What is the biggest risk you have encountered in your career?

Dr. Shi: 医患关系在遭遇医疗意外时的脆弱

Dr. Shi: The fragile relationship between doctors and patients in the event of a medical accident.
Jenny: 您的业余爱好是什么？在您的工作/3D打印之外，您对什么最有兴趣？
What is your hobby? What are you most interested in outside of your work/3D printing?
Dr. Shi: 业余爱好学习佛法；人工智能和机器人技术在整形领域中的开拓。
Dr. Shi: Learn Dharma; the development of artificial intelligence and robotics in the field of plastic surgery.
Jenny: 您的人生格言是什么？为什么?
What is your life motto? why?
Dr Shi: 色即是空，空即是色。不为什么。
Dr Shi: “Color is empty, empty is color. No reason.” (Buddhist philosophy)

The post Interview: Dr. Shi Jun (史俊), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, China appeared first on 3DHeals.

About this Event:
3DHEALS community events focus on creating educational content and networking events with highly selected speakers and audiences all over the world. This will be the first such event in Singapore. The event is limited to 50 attendees. 
 
Location: 
National University Singapore
Seminar room, Innovation 4.0 Building
3 Research Link 
Singapore,117603

[pdf-embedder url=”https://3dheals.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Getting-to-Innovation-4.0.pdf”]
Time:
Wed, September 5, 2018
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM Singapore Standard Time Singapore Time

Agenda: 

6:30-7:00 PM Networking & Light reception
7:00-7:10 PM Opening Intro by Dr. Jenny Chen and Mahendran Reddy (3DHEALS Singapore Community manager, NAMIC)
7:10 – 7:20 PM Sean Looi is the General Manager of Creatz3D Pte Ltd
7:20-7:25 PM Q&A
7:25-7:35 PM Dr. Chaw Sing Ho, co-founding Managing Director of NAMIC (National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster)
7:35-7:40 PM Q&A
7:40-7:50 PM Dr. Ching Kit Chen, Pediatric Cardiologist, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital
7:50 -7:55 PM Q&A
7:55-8:05 PM Dr. Shweta Agarwala 
(Singapore Centre for 3D Printing@ Nayang TechnologicalUniversity)
8:05-8:10 PM Q&A
8:10 -8:40 PM Panel Discussion
8:40-9:30 Networking
About Speakers:
Jenny Chen, MD – 3DHEALS

Jenny is trained as a neuroradiologist, founder/CEO of 3DHEALS, a company focusing on curating healthcare 3D printing ecosystem. Her main interests include medical education,  3D printing in the healthcare sector, and artificial intelligence. She is also a current adjunct clinical faculty in the radiology department at Stanford Healthcare.
Mahendran Reddy – 3DHEALS Community Manager, NAMIC

Mahendran Reddy is a highly driven professional with 20 years of international professional experience in the creative industries in both the private and public sectors.
As a trained architect and a media personality, he has held key strategic appointments in driving innovation and initiatives in the civil service, notably the establishment of the National Design Centre in Singapore.
At UCT, he has driven the adoption of Additive Manufacturing in its fledgling form in South East Asia mainly in the consumer segment of the business.
At NAMIC, he is actively involved in the adoption of Additive Manufacturing in the Industries by initiating collaborative research projects with Industry and Institutes of Higher Learning.
He brings with him an in-depth knowledge in management, government processes and procurement, design thinking skills and excellent interpersonal and professional competencies.
Dr. Chaw Sing Ho

Dr. Chaw Sing Ho is the co-founding Managing Director of NAMIC (National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster), a Singapore government initiative to catalyze innovation and scale industrial adoption of additive manufacturing technologies. By focusing on industrial applications and translational R&D, together with commercial strategies to co-create innovative products and services, the national initiative aims to position Singapore as one of the leading digital manufacturing hubs in the era of digitalization and smart factories. Since its inception two years ago, NAMIC has raised more than $24 million in public-private funding to support various AM initiatives across industry verticals.
Prior to NAMIC, he oversaw IP Innovation Strategic Partnerships at HP Singapore. Before that, he was the global head of manufacturing supply chain operations and product innovation for the consumer inkjet supplies business in HP. Chaw Sing started his career in the semiconductor industry with Chartered Semiconductor and Globalfoundries, where he undertook various leadership and customer-facing roles in technology development and engineering operations.
Chaw Sing holds a doctorate in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Bachelor’s (honors) degree in Electrical Engineering majoring in Microelectronics from the National University of Singapore (NUS). He is an avid inventor with several US/international patents. An advocate for 3D Printing and its role in the new economy, he has spoken in various forums and workshops. He mentors a number of start-ups in the digital and healthcare space. He sits on a number of advisory and expert committees and is an appointed mentor under the GE Digital ASEAN Startup and Partner Program. He is personally interested in nurturing deep tech start-ups, as well as advancing STEM education and engineering as a profession. In his free time, he enjoys sports, movies, reading and spending time with his family.
Dr. Chen Ching Kit

Dr. Ching Kit Chen completed his undergraduate medical studies at the National University of Singapore and post-graduate training in Paediatrics and Paediatric Cardiology in Singapore. He subsequently did a fellowship in pediatric heart failure, mechanical circulatory support and heart transplantation at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada.  During his 2-year fellowship, he participated in a range of research projects resulting in numerous abstracts and publications. Upon returning to Singapore, he has started a pediatric advanced heart failure program (including mechanical circulatory support for children) in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and has successfully established a pediatric heart transplant and mechanical cardiac support program in Singapore.  His clinical areas of interest cover dilated cardiomyopathy, exercise echocardiography in cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease, and fetal cardiovascular flow dynamics, while research areas of expertise and experience include 3D printing of heart models, exercise echocardiography, and fetal cardiology.
Sean Looi

Sean Looi is the General Manager of Creatz3D Pte Ltd, the authorized distributor of Stratasys™ 3D printing systems and materials in Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Creatz3D’s additive manufacturing solutions also include Arcam™ for production of metal components as well as Materialise™ Rapid Prototyping Softwares. 
Despite majoring in MSc Finance, Sean’s passion for 3D printing opened the door of opportunity of distributing 3D printing technologies in 2007. His knowledge in various manufacturing practices placed him in a favorable position to advice on advanced solutions for direct digital manufacturing.
Sean’s accumulated technical experience with a variety of different 3D printing machines, technologies, and applications, across all industry sectors, helped him to gain foresight into the macroeconomy of additive manufacturing potential.
In return, Sean has been actively helping companies various sectors think more critically, innovate better to improve workflow and is highly respected in the local Additive Manufacturing committee. With over 6 years of experience in the industry, Sean is a regularly invited keynote speaker in various local institutions and events.

Shweta Agarwala is a researcher with Singapore Centre for 3D printing at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She holds Ph.D. in Electronics Engineering from National University of Singapore, Singapore. Her research is aimed at developing materials and devices for bioelectronic in healthcare applications, and printed electronics for wearables, sensors and smart packaging. The roadmap employs 3D printing route of an aerosol jet, inkjet, and bio-printing to fabricate nano-electronic and bioelectronic devices. Her research is multidisciplinary in nature and provides a useful link between electronics, material science, manufacturing, and biotechnology, thus trying to solve real-life problems.

Registration

Thanks to our sponsors:

The post 3DHEALS Singapore: Healthcare 3D Printing and Beyond 🗓 🗺 appeared first on 3DHeals.

Community: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

3DHEALS members can get in touch with Mr. Asher Breverman here

Jenny: Tell us, what is one quote that represents you?
Asher: Being smart will count for nothing if you don’t make the world a better place
Jenny: Tell us a little about yourself. (Where are you from originally? Where are you located? What are you working on?)
Asher: I’m a passionate, energetic, and entrepreneurial-minded young professional living in Dallas, Texas and working as a 3D-printing engineer and project manager for a small medical device company that designs, manufactures, and sells 3D-printed spine implants. I originally grew up in central New Jersey and went to college at Drexel University in Philadelphia where I got my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. During that time, I worked in numerous internships at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab and medical device companies that used 3D-printing for prototyping and product development. Currently, I am working on numerous projects (in both engineering and management capabilities) for 3D-printed titanium spine implants that can be used to treat degenerative disc disease and scoliosis.  
Jenny: What made you decide to become a 3DHEALS community manager?
Asher: During my five years at Drexel, I took advantage of every entrepreneurial opportunity through the university’s startup incubator. After graduating and moving to Dallas, I struggled to find a community that I felt connected to and provided an opportunity to help out, empower others, and learn. I have always wished that Dallas/Fort Worth had a “tech hub” like the Bay Area, and I realized that if I wanted the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex to be a hub for 3D-printing and medical devices, I would have to lead the charge to create that hub.
Jenny: If you have already organized a 3DHEALS event, what were your experiences like? (Photos?) Anything unexpected happened?
Asher: I have not organized or attended a 3DHEALS event
I have organized a 100-person event during my junior year of college with my student organization, Dragons for Israel, where I was President. I coordinated with the University’s President, who spoke at the event, and numerous faculty members and student organizations. To learn more, check out:

https://www.drexelhillel.org/bridging-gap-drexels-presence-israel-special-event-featuring-president-john-fry
Jenny: What do you think of innovations in healthcare 3D printing or bioprinting? What do you hope to see in the next five years? 10 years?
Asher: Patient-specific implants: Orthopedic implants can be designed to match patient-specific anatomy which can improve clinical outcomes.
Metal nanoparticle jetting  –There are many limitations of powder bed fusion (SLM + EBM) and new metal-filament AM techniques (w/ Desktop Metal and Markforged) are unable to manufacture millimeter-sized features accurately. I think metal nanoparticle jetting could be the future to create micron-sized metal products with additive manufacturing.
Generative design software- Generative design software packages provide unparalleled design possibilities to product development engineers, which allow for increased usage of 3D-printing in healthcare related applications. One example of this application is the 3D-printed spine implant “Modulus” by NuVasive.
Bioprinting-3D-printing organs and tissue could be one of the most significant innovations in humankind, rivaled only with artificial intelligence.
Jenny: If you have done 3D printing before, what have you made/designed? (Photos if available, preferably in healthcare application)
Asher:
3D-printed wind turbines – I attended a 5-year BS/MS program at Drexel for Mechanical Engineering, and in my senior year, I founded a startup, WindiGo Turbines, that used 3D-printed turbine blades. This startup won 4th place in Inc. Magazine’s Hottest Startups of 2016.
3D-printed spine implants – I currently work as an Additive Manufacturing Engineer where I have led the FDA approval process for five 3D-printed spine implants.

3D-Printed Titanium Spine Implants

 
Jenny: Most of our community managers are entrepreneurial and adventurous, what risks/adventures have you taken that you’d like to share with us? Any hopes or regrets?
 
 
Asher:
Starting my own startup (and failing fantastically!) – This startup won 4th place in Inc. Magazine’s Hottest Startups of 2016 but failed less than 12 months later. At the time, it was both my

3D-Printed Lumbar Interbody

greatest achievement and my greatest failure in life and I learned more about people in that 12-month span than the previous 22 years of my life combined.

• Moving to Dallas after an 8-hour interview with my current team – I grew up in New Jersey, attended college in Philadelphia, and have visited every major city along the east coast. I was flown out to Dallas on a last-minute interview with Osseus, my current employer, and within 8-hours of meeting my team, I knew immediately that I would uproot my entire life and move to Dallas, where I knew no one and had never been before.

Jenny: Who would you like to find and to include in the 3DHEALS community you are building?
Asher: 
Additive manufacturing professionals: Engineers, Technicians, Sales professionals, Material scientists, Business executives, Marketing professionals
Healthcare professionals: Physicians, Surgeons, Doctors, PA’s, Nurses, Techs, Med Students
Educators: Trainers, Teachers, Professors
Students: Middle school, High school, and Undergrad
Jenny: What would you like to accomplish with this new 3DHEALS community in the future?
Asher: Host 1 event within 12 months of launching Dallas/Fort Worth community, introduce 100 people to 3DHEALS through the Dallas-based event, and empower 50 students to get involved with 3D-printing
Jenny: What do you think about the innovation environment (for health tech or for general technology) in your city? What can be done to improve it?
Asher: Coming from Philadelphia, I was a little disappointed with the health tech scene at Dallas. There are always entrepreneurial events throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, but the health tech scene is limited.
I believe one of the first steps of unifying the health tech scene is to approach each and every health tech company and organization for health tech through social media and personalized email campaigns. I think the reason that there is a limited health tech scene in Dallas is that of how geographically spread out the community is across 5-10 different cities/towns in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. By contacting interested parties directly, I hope to employ a personal touch to create curiosity and interest in new members.
Jenny: What are you most proud of about your city?
Asher: Food and it’s fun!
Jenny: What are you most proud of about the innovation community in your city?
Asher: I always find something new that surprises me about the tech companies in Dallas/Fort Worth
Jenny: What do you think are the top priorities in healthcare 3D printing innovations for your city/community?
Asher: 
Enterprise: Contact HR departments at 3D-printing companies in Dallas, and contact 3D-printing engineers in Dallas via LinkedIn  
Non-profits: Contact training and education organizations that focus on manufacturing (ASME, SME, SWE)
Education: Contact middle schools, high schools, and colleges and contact teachers, educators, professors
Jenny: What do you hope to accomplish through your role as the 3DHEALS community manager?
Asher: Help, teach, empower community members
Jenny: What do you do for fun?
Asher: Chess and Reading

The post Interview: Mr. Asher Breverman, Dallas, TX appeared first on 3DHeals.