Collaboration announced between PDR and Renishaw

1 February 2017

Engineering and healthcare technologies company, Renishaw plc and PDR (International Centre for Design and Research), have signed a major new research collaboration that will help to ensure that the UK is at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

The collaboration seeks to pioneer new design methods that will bring engineering levels of precision to complex surgical procedures. Improving the accuracy and predictability of medical procedures has the potential for life-changing results and efficiency improvements for healthcare providers. Renishaw's expertise in technologies such as 3D printing in metal - which is used to create highly accurate custom implants and devices – will be harnessed through PDR's experience in research and design of the devices.

Bryan Austin, Director and General Manager of Renishaw's Medical Dental Products Division said, “This collaboration is a wonderful opportunity for Renishaw and PDR to further exploit their respective expertise in metal 3D printing and design of custom medical devices with the aim of improving surgical outcomes. Having already collaborated on the InnovateUK and EPSRC funded ADEPT project, it became obvious that by combining the strengths of our two organisations, an opportunity existed to make a positive impact on the delivery of custom medical devices.”

Renishaw, the UK's only manufacturer of metal additive manufacturing (AM) systems, supplies additively manufactured patient specific implants (PSIs), known as LaserImplantsTM direct to EU-based hospitals. This product has been informed by significant research into the requirements of surgeons in order to optimise AM for surgical applications. Renishaw would like to further AM's usage whilst maintaining high levels of performance in service.

Dr Dominic Eggbeer, PDR's Head of Surgical and Prosthetic Design explained, “The close relationship PDR has with industry and the NHS will ensure new design, and engineering-led methods will be developed to meet the needs of the rapidly evolving healthcare sector. Renishaw is at the forefront of healthcare innovation and this exciting formal collaboration is a result of long-term research work with its team.”

PDR's ambition as a leading research institution also includes the development of best practices through running workshops and conferences. This includes the UK's Advanced Digital Technologies in Head and Neck Reconstruction (ADT) Foundation Conference in February 2017, which Renishaw is supporting.

Professor Andrew Walters, Director of Research at PDR stated, “Beginning this collaboration between Renishaw and PDR is an exciting development for us, formalising a long-standing relationship and driving us to achieve even greater things together. The collaboration demonstrates the importance of the bespoke medical device development work undertaken by Dr Eggbeer and his team and the relevance of this work to industry. In turn, it is a unique opportunity for us to learn from the industrial expertise of one of the UK's leading engineering companies.”