REV•1 Engineering® Takes Early Phase Medical Device Development To The Next Level

MURRIETA, Calif. - Sept. 18, 2019 - PRLog -- REV•1 Engineering, a leading developer of complex, interventional medical technologies, is introducing next generation 3D printer technology in support of their early phase, medical device development capabilities.  The company is known for it's ground-breaking work in interventional cardiology, structural heart, neuromodulation and drug/device/biologics combination technologies.

"The addition of the HP 580 printer is a game changer for early-phase design and development," commented Eric Johnson, Co-Founder and CEO of REV•1. "The technology is already delivering commercial orthotics and prosthetics.  Its impact on cutting costs and accelerating early development timelines for more complex medical devices will be significant."

The speed and flexibility of this new technology enables clients to produce multiple, three dimensional design iterations, simultaneously, in a single production batch.  What was once done sequentially can now be done in parallel.

"Being able to evaluate multiple prototype options in a single afternoon delivers a significant advantage," added Mr. Johnson.  "The quality and affordability of the materials used by the HP 580 printer also speed development and deliver real cost savings.  We envision this cutting currently hand fabricated prototype costs by two thirds, a significant issue as these hand made devices can cost thousands of dollars to fabricate."

Earlier generations of 3D printers produced parts that lacked the strength and durability necessary for meaningful, early bench and pre-clinical testing.  Until now, this required the use of "soft tooling"; temporary tools used for injection molding cut from cheap steel to save money.  These tools are frequently sourced from China.  Soft steel tools degrade quickly, limiting the number of quality parts that can be produced to support Verification & Validation testing and additional pre-clinical and clinical studies.  The 580 printer produces identical, high quality components every time.

"The critical factor here is time," said Terry Murray, Vice President of Strategic Development with REV•1.  "Soft tooling takes time to source, design, cut, ship and install on presses for the initial injection molding runs to produce parts.  All of that dead time falls away, saving weeks, if not months, in the development process."

"Companies are also looking into the biocompatibility of the materials the 580 can run," said Mr. Johnson. "Once biocompatibility can be validated, this will open up entirely new manufacturing pathways for implants and interventional technologies.  We're truly standing on the threshold of an exciting future for medical technology."