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AK Medical: Reliable 3D Printed Orthopaedic Implants

Dr. Zhijiang Li, CEO

3D printing technology has changed the way many industries are manufacturing products and the healthcare industry is no exception, especially in orthopaedics-a medical specialty heavily reliant on implantable devices. Traditionally, orthopaedic implants were designed in multiple sizes. While these standard implants fit most people, there are cases where the implant is too short, too wide, or too narrow, and therefore surgeons have to compensate for these subtle variations. With 3D printing, a true custom implant specifically designed for an individual can be made along with patient-specific instrumentation for the procedure. In addition, 3D printing can also be used to manufacture complex implants to treat severe deformities and other reconstructive surgeries where standard implants are not viable.

One company making great strides in commercializing the application of 3D printing technology in orthopaedic joint and spine replacement implants in China is AK Medical. The medical device company was founded in 2003 by Dr. Zhijiang Li, a surgeon who was unable to find the right-size implants for his grandmother’s hip replacement surgery. Following this incident, Dr. Li decided to quit his practice and, together with a team of like-minded individuals, successfully developed the first anatomic knee system in China. As the only company to receive Chinese FDA approval, AK Medical has since secured a leading position in the Chinese orthopaedic joint implant market. The company specializes in the research, development, manufacture and sales of artificial prosthetic joints and their associated surgical instruments and applications using 3D printing technology.

Specializing in hip and knee replacement implants, AK Medical’s portfolio includes orthopaedic joint implants for primary surgeries as well as revision surgeries for replacement, repair, or enhancement of an implant or component from a previous procedure.

These implants have also showcased positive results in terms of bone growth and long survival rate since the company is replacing the traditional methods of machining cups and cages. “We provide a comprehensive solution to surgeons for hip and knee reconstruction and help patients return to their normal lives,” states Li, chairman, CEO and executive director of AK Medical. Currently, the company offers three types of 3D printed products, which include hip replacement implants, spinal interbody cages, and artificial vertebral bodies. These products are approved by the National Medical Products Administration and are delivered worldwide through a growing distribution network. Moreover, AK Medical also directly sells a portion of its products to establish and maintain contact with hospitals and surgeons.

Catering to the demand of clinical orthopaedic implant products, AK Medical delivers 3D printed implants and instruments that guarantee the best quality and results for both patients and surgeons. And unlike other standard joint implants in the market, an AK brand joint can be implanted in less than 6 minutes. Moreover, the company has been a leading manufacturer of arthroplasty implants in China and the biggest 3D printing center in the Asia-Pacific region. Alongside its diverse range of orthopaedic implants, AK Medical offers 3D ACT (Accurate Constructive Technology) solutions, which assist surgeons in simulating and planning for implant surgeries. 3D ACT solutions simplify surgical processes, enable personalized surgical instruments, and pre-surgery selected implants, while improving patients’ recovery experience significantly. In addition, AK Medical markets orthopaedic products produced by third parties as a distributor to complement its offerings.

In less than every two years, AK Medical launches new cutting-edge 3D printed orthopaedic products by focusing on medical-industrial interaction, deep integration of production, education, research, and practice, technological innovation, and research. Integrating all four services, namely 3D imaging and modelling, 3D printed models and patient-specific surgical plans, 3D printed surgical instruments, and 3D printed replacement implants, AK Medical has become a one-stop orthopaedic surgical solutions provider. The company intends to overturn the image of Chinese products in the global landscape and become a respected world-class medical enterprise.

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Company
AK Medical

Headquarters
Beijing, China

Management
Dr. Zhijiang Li, CEO

Description
Designs, develops, manufactures, and sells orthopedic implants, and focuses on hip and knee replacement implants.Aikang Medical Holdings Co., Ltd. (Aikang Medical or Company) commercializes 3D printing technology and applies it to bone and joint and spine replacement implants, occupying a leading position in the Chinese bone and joint implant market.