From March 8 to May 7, 2021, the Défi Source challenge took place, organized by the SILAB of La Source school. Sébastien Martinerie from FORMED had the chance to participate and to contribute to the development of SPEEDI, a simple solution to facilitate the collection of urine from elderly patients and thus allow an early detection of urinary tract infections.

In Switzerland, more than 3’000’000 urine tests are performed in EMS every year. A simple procedure at first glance, but one that can be complicated and time-consuming for caregivers, and even traumatic for residents who are incontinent or suffer from cognitive disorders.

In order to avoid the need for probing and to ensure the validity of the sample, caregivers need solutions to collect urine and perform the urine test at the right time.

SPEEDI is an innovative and simple device. Placed in the urinary protection, a sensor detects the presence of urine and alerts the nurse that a sample is ready for testing. The procedure can thus be planned and integrated into the care (usual change of protection) in order to respect both the rhythm of the nurses and the patients.

With its simple and economical technology, SPEEDI can easily be integrated in any care structure to considerably limit complications related to undetected urinary tract infections.

We wish full success to SPEEDI and to the team behind its development!

Oculox Technologies is developing a new laser delivery device to treat eye-retina pathologies. FORMED’s 3D printing service resulted to be fondamental in this project. SLA 3D printing technologies are particularly suitable for demanding applications where surface quality, precision, and accuracy of functional parts are critical.

 

The projet

Oculox Technologies SA is a Swiss start-up active in the medical devices sector. In close collaboration with doctors, it aims to improve, optimize, and personalize patient care. Its activities are focused on the development and integration of the most advanced technologies for precision medicine. Currently, Oculox Technologies is developing a new laser delivery device for the eye-retina treatment. The Alpha prototype of its device is being finalized.

 

The challenge

The laser delivery device under development is an highly interdisciplinary initiative. Like many industrial systems and projects, the device developed by Oculox Technologies includes multiple parts, produced using different techniques (sheet metal, machining, molding, FDM 3D printing, etc.). In addition, the manufacturing and assembly of optical systems require great mechanical precision. The challenge was to find the right technologies to support the realization of the first demonstrators-prototypes with the needed accuracy and quality while keeping lead times and costs under control. During this prototyping phase, a very flexible production method is a game changing factor, allowing for rapid testing and design modification while converging to the desired final properties.

 

The solution : FORMED SLA 3D printing services

To produce some elements, Oculox Technologies turned to FORMED and its SLA 3D printing services, making it possible to meet all of these requirements. In tight collaboration, functional parts were thus manufactured and integrated into the Alpha prototype. Some of the produced parts are also designed and used for calibration purposes. The mechanical stability of the 3D printed elements results to be compliant with the required optical quality.

To date, 77 parts were printed in black resin, ideal for optical applications, with a layer thickness of 50 microns for greater accuracy. Parts quality, and more precisely their surface finish, is also a great advantage to show the prototype to potential investors and customers. For Filippo Piffaretti, founder and CEO of Oculox Technologies, the 3D printing service offered by FORMED perfectly combines quality, speed and costs control. In addition, he particularly appreciates the contact and trust that quickly established between the two partners.

« SLA 3D printing is a great opportunity for our development processes. The flexibility, the high precision and the surface finish allow us to produce functional parts, and even to consider technology for small batch production. The service, the relationship of trust and the quality offered by FORMED perfectly match our expectations. » Filippo Piffaretti, founder and CEO of Oculox Technologies SA.

 

Perspectives

The Alpha prototype allowed to freeze the product specifications. The rationalization and production of the Beta prototype will allow to consolidate with exhaustive certified laboratory tests allowing to face regulatory and certification phase.

 

FORMED is very pleased with this great collaboration and to be able to contribute to the success of Oculox Technologies and its projects.

Do you have a demanding development project and are you looking for a partner to produce your prototypes?
Choose FORMED if you don’t want to choose between quality, speed and costs !
Do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

After several months of development, the FORMED services are operational and at your disposal for all your 3D modeling and 3D printing needs. Discover how the project was born.

FORMED was created by Sébastien Martinerie, independent engineer/designer, passionate about 3D technologies and their most advanced applications. This passion began in 2003. Upon obtaining his HES engineering degree in mechanics (Design and Materials orientation), Sébastien is hired at the powder technologies laboratory of the HES-SO Valais. Among his R&D projects, he develops a promising process for 3D printing with metallic powders. Convinced of the tremendous potential of these technologies, he buys his first 3D printer and creates the Solidmakers workshop that produces models and prototypes for many applications.

He then works for the medical industry, notably at Symbios Orthopédie SA, where he was responsible for the design of custom hip prostheses. This experience is crucial, bringing him skills related to medical imaging and customized medical devices design. He is struck by the added value of a good collaboration between surgeon and engineer and is determined to continue to put his skills at the service of patients and medical applications. In parallel with a training and a designer activity giving him new perspectives, Sébastien does not lose sight of his objectives and is involved with companies active in 3D technologies, particularly in the medical field.

He participates in the creation of the in-house 3D printing service of Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), a pioneering project in Switzerland. For four years, he has designed and produced hundreds of patient-specific anatomical models for many indications and specialties. In 2018, the findings of an internal study confirm the clinical soundness and potential of medical 3D printing. In economic terms, however, the costs of such a service remain too high for an institution of this size.

Determined to maintain and develop an anatomical modeling activity in the area, Sébastien decides to create his own laboratory, equipped with the latest technological advances. The CHUV and many other institutions and innovative companies have now access to his advanced skills and technologies. The FORMED project is born, and this is only the beginning of the adventure!

Do not hesitate to contact us to learn more and to follow us to be informed.