3D-Side
Innovation for a Better Tomorrow

Some of today’s most successful solutions have transformed users’ notion of how things should work. Building such great products demand extensive research about the markets and how people would think and act. That being said, starting a new business is no small undertaking. One company that decided to take this road is 3D-Side, a medical technology company which spawned with the idea to link surgeons to 3D technology. Founded in 2015 in Louvain-la-Neuve, near Brussels, the company is a spin-off from the UCL University. “We solved problems during our PhD theses to assist the surgeons with the best solutions. After years of R&D and production of patient-specific devices, our software and infrastructure have been optimized to face all the challenges in this custom-made field, from communication to certification!,” remarks Laurent Paul, the CEO of 3D-Side.

After years of industrialization and with the aim of being efficient, improve traceability, and customer satisfaction, 3D-Side developed Customize, a web-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solution consisting of three modules to address specific functions for their customers, called Customize.

The first, Create is a technical toolbox for the engineers to perform processing operations on the patient’s medical images. The module generates 2D and 3D contents to be communicated to the surgeon. Secondly, Interact is explicitly designed to answer the surgeon’s needs and to visualize and understand the patient-specific device, designed using Create. Lastly, Supervize helps the production manager to conduct the process of just in time production. This module also makes quality management, easier by enabling full traceability of information and actions.

Additionally, 3D-Side performs specific functions and procedures when it comes to device design and processing. For example in the case of SkullPT, one of their core products requires a basic image processing to determine the bone defect and the material to be filled.

By using semi-automated tools, the implant design can be made in a short period. The mold generation is fully automated, and the 3D printing process takes place, and the mold is sent to the customer. During the surgery, bone cement is placed in the mold to create the final implant. However, when it comes to bone tumor resection product, it is a different story altogether. It involves advanced image processing to combine the MRI with the CT. In addition, new information is also generated and made available for the surgeon to comprehend the tumor volume. Post this, a resection scheme is defined including a safe margin (layer of healthy tissues around the bone tumor). An instrument is designed to guide the saw blade during the surgery. After manufacturing, delivery, and sterilization, the device is used in the operating room. It finds its unique position on the bone surface, thanks to a specific surface that embeds the bone shape. The blade is guided by the instrument to reproduce the cutting strategy.

We solved problems during our PhD theses that helped us to assist the surgeons with the best solutions. After years of R&D and production of patient-specific devices, our software and infrastructure have been optimized to face all the challenges in this custom-made field, from communication to certification

3D-Side has recently introduced the customize solution to monitor the production of patient-specific devices. Laurent highlights an instance where a 9-year-old girl had a bone tumor at one femur, which was manually treated. The patient had a second tumor on the tibia at the opposite side. The latter one has been processed using the 3D-Side patient-specific instrument. After a thorough discussion with the surgeon operating, they decided to decrease the safe margin to a minimal value. They successfully managed to spare the knee joint and avoid knee prosthesis.

To further substantiate their contribution, the company not only connects surgeons to 3D printing technology but also aims at helping implant manufacturers as well. For 3D-Side, the future looks bright, as they are enthusiastic about spreading their solutions overseas in several countries. The company is also planning to play a key role in the production section as well. “We will design cranial implants or patient-specific instruments for companies that are looking for an ISO-certified partner,” concludes Laurent.