Personalised medical implants to improve the health of Australians

Australians researchers are developing the technology to produce 3D printed replacement joints and bones designed and built specifically for patients. 

The Morrison Government is providing $4 million to establish a new research training centre to develop next generation personalised knee, hip, spine, shoulder and jaw medical implants. 

Member for Higgins Dr Katie Allen today launched the Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Medical Implant Technologies at The University of Melbourne. 

Minister for Education Dan Tehan said the research conducted at the centre would transform the medical implant industry in Australia. 

“The research conducted at this centre will lead to safer and more efficient surgical procedures, faster recovery time and better patient outcomes,” Mr Tehan said. 

“Researchers will also work with industry to develop clear pathways to commercialise research that creates business and job opportunities for Australians. 

“The centre will also train a new generation of engineers with multidisciplinary research and development to drive the growth of our local medical implant industry. 

“The Morrison Government is funding research that fosters collaboration between Australian universities and industry to deliver outcomes that benefit everyone.” 

Dr Allen said the training centre would build strong collaborations with hospitals and industry, creating a supportive environment for research translation. 

“The training centre will develop preclinical tools like 3D modelling to evaluate the performance of joint replacement before it is implanted in a patient,” Dr Allen said. 

“This is great news for patients who will receive medical implants that have been designed for them and tested by computers before surgery.” 

The University of Melbourne will administer the training centre in collaboration with 22 participating organisations across four countries.