Anatomiz3D Healthcare, an independent venture of Sahas Softech is now scouting for probable investors to expand its scale of operations. The company’s 3D printing of human anatomy is much-sought-after by surgeons in India as it enables surgical and implant procedures with reduced duration of anesthesia with better outcomes.

Currently, 3D printing has revolutionized the medical industry. A patient’s anatomy is designed based on a CT or MRI scan with a FDA approved software. A 3D computer aided design model is created. The 3D printer reproduces a life size model of the patient's anatomy. It can also be used to contour implants and upper limb prosthetics. Globally, use of 3D printing applications are in vogue. Doctors perform the surgery on the 3D model before entering into the operation theatre giving them adequate understanding of the procedure.

Sahas Softech a diversified 3D printing & allied service provider was cofounded by Sagar Shah, Samkit Shah and Sohrab Kothari in April 2012. The 3D printed upper limb prosthetics, provides 5 finger functionality. Similar applications are also extended in fracture casting as it focuses on injury points. It provides the patient adequate comfort because the cast no longer covers the entire broken limb area. Facial prosthetics and bio-printing are new areas which are successfully progressing.

“The key advantage of the 3D printing of human anatomy prior to a surgery is that it saves about 40 minutes to 2 hours of surgical time, besides reduces anesthesia administration. There is lesser blood loss, faster recovery with fewer incisions,” Firoza Kothari, head, healthcare, Sahas Softech LLP told Pharmabiz in an email.

There are a handful of players in India providing only orthopaedic related 3D applications and we provide soft tissue services and anatomical study models. Soft tissue is difficult to design and replicate. We have also developed India’s first 3D printed model in paediatric cardiology, she added.

The company has catered to various strata of the medical industry. Some of its users include surgeons from Fortis hospital, Sion hospital, NM Medical Centre, AIIMS Delhi, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Frontier Lifeline Hospital Chennai, H N Reliance hospitals, Nanavati Hospital for cardiology, neurology, orthopaedic, pulmonology and prosthetic interventions.

In fact, medical experts have been positive about the outcome and we are now confident about the technology's worth. Considering that 3D printing of anatomy can directly and indirectly impact a patient life, we are on the lookout for probable investors or partners to expand the scale of operations to innovate further, she said.

Indian market has huge scope for 3D printing of anatomy but the acceptance is slow compared to US, China and Japan. Specifically Japan has included this offering into the medical insurance services. Opting for 3D prosthetics reduces cost. A traditional bionic hand costs around $50,000 compared to the 3D printed version for Rs.50,000 or Rs.60,000. Organ printing is the future and this will be followed by bio-printing. However, there is there is a lack of regulatory guidance for 3D printing of anatomy in an otherwise highly regulated industry which makes acceptance difficult due to liability clauses. The offering is out of the medical insurance ambit making it difficult for doctors to convince patients and their families on its importance, said Kothari.