The medical devices industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by increased need for homecare, preventative treatments, early diagnosis, reducing patient recovery times and improving outcomes, and growing importance of technologies such as machine learning, augmented reality, 5G and digitalization. In the last three years alone, there have been over 230,000 patents filed and granted in the medical devices industry, according to GlobalData’s report on 3D printing in medical: dental implant 3D printing. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 165,000 patents to analyze innovation intensity for the medical devices industry, there are 35+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Dental implant 3D printing is a key innovation area in 3D printing
Dental implant 3D printing is the process of using additive manufacturing to create customized dental implants that match the patient’s specific dental structure. Three-dimensional models of the patient’s teeth and gums are used to create a personalized implant that fits perfectly, resulting in a more natural look and feel.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 200+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established medical devices companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of dental implant 3D printing.
Key players in dental implant 3D printing – a disruptive innovation in the medical devices industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to implant 3D printing
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
3M and Dentsply Sirona are two of the leading patent filers in dental implant 3D printing devices. Some other key patent filers in the field include Zimmer Biomet, Align Technology, and Johnson & Johnson.
In terms of application diversity, AlloSource leads the pack, while HD LifeSciences and NanoHive Medical stood in the second and third positions, respectively. By means of geographic reach, Johnson & Johnson held the top position, followed by Soundmed and Sonitus Medical.
Driven by the demand for personalized dental solutions and advancing technology, dental implant 3D printing devices present abundant opportunities in the field of dentistry. This growth is propelled by improved accessibility, reduced costs, and enhanced outcomes for both dental professionals and patients. Additionally, ongoing material and technique advancements will further boost market growth, revolutionizing the field of restorative dentistry.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the medical devices industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on 3D Printing in Medical Devices.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
