On the occasion of the arrival of the VivaTech fair, Futura invites you to discover some of the inventions that promise to seduce spectators. In this article, we go together to meet Prashanth Ray, co-founder of LUCID Implants.
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[EN VIDÉO] Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE Lab During containment, Futura takes you to discover Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Lab! An open innovation laboratory founded in 2015 which draws on the firm’s long experience in virtual technologies, specializing in 3D modeling, simulations and the development of various software solutions.
While innovation is revolutionizing products, our consumption patterns and our daily uses, it also has a profound effect in sectors as varied as mobility,agriculture, l’energy or personalized health, as we discuss in our Open Impact podcast. LUCID Implants is one of the examples of revolutions currently playing out in the medical world. Leveraging l’impression 3D but also the 3D experience, it now proposes to democratize access to implants by reversing current paradigms. Meeting with its co-founder, Prashanth Ray.
What are LUCID Implants?
LUCID Implants is a medical technology company established in 2018 in Nagpur, India, which provides customized implant solutions. At LUCID Implants, we design, develop, manufacture and market craniomaxillofacial implants (CMF) and neurosurgical that are individually sized and shaped – what we call personalization – to fit theanatomy unique to each patient.
What are the advantages of the LUCID Implants process compared to the conventional care path?
LUCID Implants’ customized solutions not only maintain perfect aesthetics and quality of life, but also fully control the surgical procedure and the value chain. This translates into minimal tissue damage, reduced hospitalization time and lower cost of care.
Why could this technology be a game-changer for developing countries?
The cases of oral cancer are most numerous in India and neighboring countries. There are currently no good solutions for ABCDs (Accidents, Birth defects – Birth defects -, Cancer, and Deformities): Most implants are imported and can meet the needs of the upper end of the population. But the lower strata of society who are most affected (day laborers, farmers, rickshaw pullers, etc.) cannot afford it. They have to rely on other family members, and their productivity suffers. (One of the solutions is for example to take bone in the leg, to rebuild a jaw, editor’s note).
In short, the implants available on the market today are only affordable for the top 30% of the country’s upper class, that is, the top and top middle of the pyramid, when the real need for these products concern the 30% of the lower class of the country, that is to say the bottom of the pyramid, who suffer the most from cancer and trauma. In addition, 85% of these implants are imported from Western multinationals. We are trying to reverse this situation by offering affordable, personalized implant solutions tailored to patient needs.
What alternative to bone is used to produce the implant?
We use the material PEEK (polyetherketone) to manufacture implants by additive manufacturing (3D printing). PEEK is an ideal material for craniomaxillofacial (CMF) cases because it is lightweight and its properties are similar to those of l’os. Cancer patients may experience chemotherapy after reconstruction using PEEK implants, which is not possible with implants in titanium because the latter absorbs radiation, while PEEK is radio transparent.
How did Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform help you develop this solution?
We use the 3DEXPERIENCE platform as an operating system with applications to design these custom implants, to limit the use of paper and for its quality management system stored on the cloud, to maintain a traceability from start to finish.
The process chain of a successful personalized medical device solution requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders, such as clinician, implant designer, simulation engineer, production engineer, quality manager, manager sales and a payer. Through the platform, all production, simulation and operations tasks can be integrated into a single workflow for seamless alignment from concept to patient care.
How do you guarantee the protection of patient medical data?
We securely receive and store patient data using Medidata’s AcornAI platform, powered by Dassault Systèmes. This highly secure solution helps us exchange data transparently while complying with regulations.
We invite our readers to come meet Prashanth Ray and discover his invention in the flesh and in PEEK at VivaTech, from June 16 to 19!
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