Advanced Training Courses (Certificate Program)
Learning Contents
The advanced training is highly valuable for both experts and newcomers in the field of 3D printing. An introduction to 3D printing offers comprehensive insights into current technologies, methods, and applications, enabling individuals to stay updated with the latest advancements. Additionally, tutorials on digitization and data preprocessing shed light on the crucial steps required in industry and biomedicine to ensure accurate and efficient 3D printing processes. For professionals in additive manufacturing, a tutorial on industrial X-ray CT provides fundamental knowledge and practical applications for evaluating parts. Understanding medical device regulation (MDR) is essential for bringing individualized additively manufactured medical devices to the market, making this tutorial beneficial for both experts and newcomers. Furthermore, tutorials on pushing the limits of patent law and optimal protection of MedTech/AM inventions equip individuals with the necessary knowledge to navigate intellectual property challenges. Lastly, hands-on tutorials on 3D manufacturing and non-destructive testing with computed tomography (CT) provide practical experience, allowing individuals to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios. Overall, these tutorials empower individuals to expand their expertise, enhance their skills, and contribute to the advancement of the 3D printing field.
Participation in the advanced training courses requires a separate registration. Modules may be changed at short notice without compromising the quality of the training.
Training Schedule
| Welcome | |||
10:30 Opening Day 1 10:55 Welcome | |||
| Module 1: Introduction to 3D Printing | ||
| 11:00 Lecture: Current Technologies, Methods and Applications Dr. Thomas Friedrich | ||
| Module 2: Digitization and Data Preprocessing in Industry and Biomedicine | ||
| 12:00 Lecture: Digitization and Data Preprocessing Maximilian Wattenberg | ||
| Lunch | ||
| 13:00 Lunch Break for all participants | ||
| Module 3: Anatomy Printing: Printed Brain Artery Phantoms | ||
| 13:00 Lecture: Essential Data Processing and Printing Strategies Dr. med. Hannes Schwenke, MHBA | ||
| Module 4: Metal Printing | |
14:30 Lecture: 15:30 Break 15:45 Excursion 16:45 Break | |
| Module 5: Hands-on - 3D Generative Manufacturing and Post-Processing in Practise | ||
17:00 Lecture: 18:00 Lab Visit: | ||
| Closing day 1 with Social Activity | ||
18:45 Closing Day 1 19:00 Free time 19:45 Social Meeting | ||
| Welcome | |||
08:45 Opening Day 2 | |||
| Module 6: Medical Device Regulation (MDR) | ||
| 09:00 Lecture: Bringing Individualized Additively Manufactured Medical Devices into Market Prof. Dr. Folker Spitzenberger, Britta Pirnay, Alberto Di Benedetto | ||
| Module 7: Additive Manufacturing of Electronical (AME) Devices for Medical Applications | ||
10:00 Lecture: 11:30 Lab Visit | ||
| Lunch | ||
| 12:00 Lunch Break for all participants | ||
| Module 8: When AM meets AI | ||
| 12:30 Lecture: Machine Learning for Shape Estimation and Manipulation Dr. Jannis Hagenah | ||
| Module 9: Pushing the limits of patent law for optimal protection of MedTech/AM inventions | ||
13:30 Lecture Part 1: 14:00 Lecture Part 2: 14:45 Lecture Part 3: | ||
| Module 10: Industrial X-ray CT: Fundamentals and Applications in the Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Parts and Hands-on CT | ||
16:00 Lecture: 16:45 Lab Visit: 17:30 Break 17:45 Lab Visit 18:15 Lecture | ||
| Closing day 2 | ||
19:45 Closing Day 2 | ||
Training Modules
Modul 01: Introduction to 3D Printing: Current Technologies, Methods and Applications
Modul 02: Digitization and Data Preprocessing in Industry and Biomedicine
Modul 03: Printed Anatomy: Brain Artery Phantoms - Essential Data Processing and Printing Strategies
Modul 04: Metal Printing - Current Challenges of the L-PBF System Manufacturers
Modul 05: Hands-on - 3D Generative Manufacturing and Post-Processing in Practise
Modul 06: Medical Device Regulation (MDR) - Bringing Individualized Additively Manufactured Medical Devices into Market
Modul 07: Additive Manufacturing of Electronical (AME) Devices for Medical Applications
Modul 08: When AM meets AI: Machine Learning for Shape Estimation and Manipulation
Modul 09: Pushing the limits of patent law for optimal protection of MedTech/AM inventions
Modul 10: Industrial X-ray CT: Fundamentals and Applications in the Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Parts and Hands-on CT
Module Descriptions
Introduction to 3D Printing: Current Technologies, Methods and Applications
Dr. Thomas Friedrich, Department Head, Medical Additive Manufacturing, Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany
Course Description and Learning Objectives: The goal of the course is to provide attendees with a comprehensive overview of 3D printing, covering the various technologies, methods, and different applications in various industries. The course begins with an overview of the basic principles of 3D printing. Attendees will gain an understanding of the additive manufacturing process, in which three-dimensional objects are produced by sequentially depositing layers of material. The major components of a typical 3D printing system will be discussed, including printers, materials and software. Current 3D printing technologies will then be introduced.
Course Outline: Attendees will be introduced to common techniques such as fused deposition modeling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), polyjet printing (PJP) and selective laser melting (SLM). The operating principles, advantages, limitations, and appropriate applications of each technology will be discussed, so that attendees will be able to make informed decisions in selecting the appropriate technology for their specific needs and place the following specific modules in context.
Course Duration
Total 1 hour
Learning Objectives
- Basic methods and materials of common 3D printing technologies
- Terminology of additive manufacturing
- Choice of methods and limitations
- Exemplary applications
Target Group
This module is shaped for technical and scientific personnel, post-grad students, postdocs, and industry professionals who would like to learn the basics of additive manufacturing, or already have some experience and want to broaden their knowledge across the wide technological range.
Lecturer
Dr. Thomas Friedrich received his Diplom Physiker degree in 2008 and his Dr. rer. nat. degree of applied Physics in 2014 from the University of Bayreuth, Germany. He worked in the field of magnetohydrodynamics in ferrofluids and studied the transport and pattern formation in colloidal suspensions of magnetic nanoparticles. Between 2015 and 2020 he was developing components for magnetic medical imaging systems and therapeutic applications at the institute of medical engineering at the University of Lübeck. Since 2020, Thomas is the Department Head of Additive Manufacturing at Fraunhofer IMTE.
Digitization and Data Preprocessing in Industry and Biomedicine
Maximilian Wattenberg, NDT Lab., Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany
Course Description and Learning Objectives
One of the strengths of additive manufacturing is its comparatively low price for one-off or low volume production. It is therefore highly interesting for prototype development or individualized applications. For example, spare parts for old machines - whose CAD model is no longer available - can be produced or prostheses for patients can be individualized. In order to generate a corresponding print template, technologies are required that scan a real object and make it available in a processable digital data structure. Optical or tomogram-based methods from quality control, reverse engineering or medicine come into play here. Defective spare parts can be digitized by them and their defects repaired or, as it were, prostheses can be adapted to the anatomy of a patient. Polygon meshes extracted from tomographic images have a very high resolution, for which some printing programs are not designed. Data sources such as optical scanners only provide point clouds that must first be converted into a surface mesh. In addition, the measurement processes carried out are subject to errors. Classically designed CAD models, on the other hand, are precise and mostly made up of a few macroscopic and geometric shapes. Converting measurement data into printable polygon grids therefore requires data pre-processing. A trend in CAD design is the optimization of components which, for example, should have a better weight/load ratio. This usually results in rather organic geometries whose polygon meshes resemble anatomical structures. In individualized medicine, the adaptation of implants to digitized anatomical structures also requires an understanding of both topics in order to avoid sources of error due to unsuitable data filters. In addition to the two examples listed, many other applications are conceivable. This course is intended to provide a condensed insight into the topic so that attendees can identify possible areas of application in their field and create a strategy for implementation based on the methods presented.
Course Outline
In a thematic introduction, processes for digitization are presented and characterized so that suitable processes can be evaluated for the requirements in one's own work area. In addition, the structure and properties of printable polygon gratings and their embedding in different file formats will be presented. Together with the requirements for printable polygon meshes defined in the module, the foundations for the more in-depth modules are prepared.
Modalities that can convert a real object into a digital model range from manual construction to fully automated scanning using methods such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance tomography, and laser-based optical methods. The operation of these methods and procedures for raw data processing are explained. Algorithms that overcome the discrepancy between the measured polygon mesh and the polygon mesh that serves as a print template are highlighted. Causes for possible error sources are shown by practical examples.
Finally, an insight into a new area of machine learning and its influence on the future creation of print templates is given.
Course Duration
Total 1 hour
Learning Objectives
- The attendees are familiar with techniques for digitizing real objects and can assess which methods might be suitable for their application examples.
- The attendees can name advantages and disadvantages of the different digitization techniques.
- Attendees have an overview of frequently occurring artifacts and know algorithms and programs that regulate them.
- Attendees have gained first practical experience in digitizing real objects and post-processing their digital representation.
Target Group
Attendees from pre-development, research and the field of individualized medicine as well as from design, with an interest in theoretical background knowledge and practical application - basic knowledge from the field of additive manufacturing is advantageous for this course.
Lecturer
Maximilian Wattenberg was born in Bielefeld, Germany in 1990. He received his Master of Science in Medical Engineering Science in 2016 from the Universität zu Lübeck, Germany. During his study he was mainly interested in medical imaging and medical image processing. In 2016 he wrote his master thesis at the Philips GmbH Innovative Technologies, Research Laboratories in Hamburg about MR raw data-based respiratory navigators. Since 02/2017 he is a Research Assistant at the Institute of Medical Engineering where he works in the field of computer tomographic reconstruction and surface detection.Currently, Maximilian leads the NDT CT Lab at Fraunhofer IMTE.
Printed Anatomy: Brain Artery Phantoms - Essential Data Processing and Printing Strategies
Dr. med. Hannes Schwenke, MHBA, Neuroradiology, UKSH Lübeck & Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany
Course Description and Learning Objectives
The 3D printing of arteries possesses unique characteristics within the field of medical 3D printing. While most human organs can be replicated solely based on their external surface using medical imaging, arteries necessitate the inclusion of their internal surface. This requirement is particularly critical for brain arteries, where achieving an accurate anatomical replication is crucial due to the intricate nature of the anatomical structures involved. Even slight discrepancies during the replication process can result in significant disparities between the original structure and the 3D printed target structure. Furthermore, it is essential to consider the substantial anatomical differences between brain arteries and arteries in other parts of the body. In the planning phase of a brain artery replication project, it is crucial to critically evaluate the intended purpose of the 3D printed replica. By focusing on the specific application, it becomes possible to meaningfully constrain the multiple degrees of freedom associated with 3D printing brain arteries. This approach not only conserves important resources, including time and the necessary software and hardware but also ensures that the resulting replicas are tailored to their intended uses.
Course Outline
The aim of this course is to provide participants with the essential fundamentals in medical 3D printing of brain arteries. This includes presenting both anatomical basics and decision-making guidance for selecting the required medical imaging methods. Important intricacies in the preprocessing of anatomical data of brain arteries will be explained, and the fundamental strategies in planning and manufacturing a 3D printed brain artery phantom will be presented.
Course Duration
Total 1 hour
Learning Objectives
- Important characteristics in medical 3D printing of arteries, particularly brain arteries
- Fundamental considerations regarding different types of 3D printed brain artery phantoms
- Key steps in data pre-processing and post-processing
- Basic printing methods suitable for replicating brain arteries
Target Group
Scientists, technical staff, and physicians who are interested in medical 3D printing of arteries, particularly brain arteries, and already have some experience with medical 3D printing. A basic understanding of imaging techniques, anatomical segmentations, and the application of CAD in a medical context is advantageous but not necessary for the course.
Lecturer
Dr. med. Hannes Schwenke, MHBA, is a senior physician at the Department of Neuroradiology at UKSH Campus Lübeck and works as a research associate at Fraunhofer IMTE in the field of medical 3D printing. Since 2019, he also heads the Laboratory for Experimental Neuroradiology and 3D printing 'Lu:Lab' at the Center of Brain, Behavior, and Metabolism (CBBM) in Lübeck. He completed his medical studies in 2012 at RWTH Aachen University, where he focused on functional MR imaging for his doctoral thesis and, together with colleagues, patented a method for highly reliable detection of individual brain activations. Throughout his career, his interest in central nervous system imaging and neurovasculature has intensified. He has also undergone clinical training in endovascular brain artery surgery, devoted considerable attention to medical 3D printing, and successfully developed a modular 3D printed intervention simulator called Lu:Nas for endovascular training in Neuroradiology. In 2022, he obtained a master’s degree in Health Business Administration from Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg.
Metal Printing - Current Challenges of the L-PBF System Manufacturers
Dr. Dominik Ahlers, SLM-Solutions, Lübeck, Germany
Course Description and Learning Objectives: The course will provide a deeper and detailed insight into additive manufacturing using L-PBF of metals. From the point of view of a system manufacturer, different perspectives will be opened up and the fundamental challenges at the current state of the art will be explained. Thanks to illustrative application examples, the provides a very good overview of the current TRL level of the technology and clearly shows the potential. The broad overview of applications gives course participants a deep insight into the current world of additive manufacturing.
Course Outline: Attendees will be introduced to the portfolio and challenges of a leading AM system manufacturer of L-PBF machines. Followed by a deep insight into the state of the art of the technology in general and will get a valuable insight into a wide range of applications.
Course Duration
Total: 3 hours
1 h Lecture
2 h company visit at SLM
Learning Objectives
Participants have a good understanding of the current capabilities and limitations of the technology
Target Group
Attendees from engineering, medicine and research, with an interest in practical background knowledge and application - basic knowledge from the field of additive manufacturing is advantageous for this course.
Lecturer
Dr. Dominik Ahlers is Funding Strategy Leader at SLM Solutions Group AG since July 2021 and therefore responsible for all public funded projects at SLM Solutions based in Lübeck, Germany. Additionally, he is Co-founder of AMproved GmbH, where he acts as a partner since March 2016. This roles has given him valuable experience for over 7 years in the AM industry. Prior to that, he was associated with Paderborn University for a total of 7 years. Most recently, he worked as a Postdoc and Program Manager for the "Neue Mobilität OWL" project 2020-2021. Prior to that he served as a Team Leader for Additive Manufacturing from January 2019 to June 2020, and as a Research Associate for almost 5 years.
Hands-on - 3D Generative Manufacturing and Post-Processing in Practise
Dr. Thomas Friedrich, Department Head, Medical Additive Manufacturing, Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany
Course Description and Learning Objectives
Introducing a new 3D printing process in a productive environment comes with a steep learning curve to climb. This hands-on course provides a basis, which will allow the participants to evaluate devices, materials and tools to efficiently establish professional additive manufacturing with polymers. The goal of the course is to give attendees a practical insight, to help them understand how soft- and hardware features and different materials as well as technical specifications of devices translate into the daily work with professional polymer 3D printing equipment.
Course Outline
The course covers the complete workflow from the import of 3D models into the printer software, via setting up print parameters and part placement to support material removal, postprocessing and some insights into exemplary machine maintenance.
Course Duration
Total 2 hours; 2 Submodules
1) Printjob preparation
2) Postprocessing and machine maintenance
Learning Objectives
- Most relevant Parameters for FDM and MJP
- Considerations and implications on part placement
- Most common types of support structures and how to remove them
- Critical components of common printers and insight into machine maintenance
Target Group
Technical and scientific personnel with an interest in professional additive manufacturing with little or no practical experience, or some experience with entry level 3d-printing. Basic insight into CAD and construction is advantageous but not necessary for the course.
Lecturer
Dr. Thomas Friedrich received his Diplom Physiker degree in 2008 and his Dr. rer. nat. degree of applied Physics in 2014 from the University of Bayreuth, Germany. He worked in the field of magnetohydrodynamics in ferrofluids and studied the transport and pattern formation in colloidal suspensions of magnetic nanoparticles. Between 2015 and 2020 he was developing components for magnetic medical imaging systems and therapeutic applications at the institute of medical engineering at the University of Lübeck. Since 2020, Thomas is the Department Head of Additive Manufacturing at Fraunhofer IMTE.
Medical Device Regulation (MDR) - Bringing Individualized Additively Manufactured Medical Devices into Market
Prof. Dr. Folker Spitzenberger, Britta Pirnay: Regulatory Affairs, Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany & Alberto Di Benedetto, QMB Qualint GmbH, Germany
Course Description and Learning Objectives
3D printing is playing an increasing role in the manufacture of personalized medical products. The regulatory classification of 3D-printed products is not necessarily tied to the type of manufacture, but primarily follows criteria relating to the degree of customization and the design characteristics associated with the products in order to ensure the safety and performance of the products. In the context of personalized medical devices, from a regulatory point of view, the so-called custom-made products, which have been described for a long time, are differentiated from the so-called adapted medical devices, the so-called "patient-matched devices", and above all the so-called "medical devices production systems”. In addition, there are the so-called "intermediate products", products from in-house production and - in the area of in-vitro diagnostics - companion diagnostics ("CDx"), which belong to the field of personalized medicine.
Course Outline
The course demarcates and qualifies the different product types on the basis of international guidelines and discusses the options for placing the products on the market from a regulatory point of view. A focus is placed on the comparison of internationally available recommendations for 3D-manufactured products against the background of the requirements for verification and validation. In this way, engineers and clinicians should enter into critical discussions with regulatory experts on current applications.
Course Duration
Total 1 hour
Learning Objective
Learning objective of the module is to provide an overview of the tools relevant in the regulatory field to develop and apply an optimal regulatory strategy for medical devices.
Target Group
Persons from Research, Development, Design and Application, Legal, Venture Capital and Executives from the MedTech and/or AM field with broad interest from theoretical background to practical application; basic knowledge from the field of law is advantageous but not necessary for this course.
Lecturers
Prof. Dr. Folker Spitzenberger is a graduate chemist and received his PhD in molecular biology from the Institute of Pharmacology at Heidelberg University. After postdoctoral work at the Medical Faculty of the University of Dresden and at Yale University (CT, USA), he worked from 2002 to 2016 in the area of assessment and implementation of quality assurance systems in the field of medical devices at the ZLG, the RKI and the German accreditation body DAkkS. With the additional qualification as a Master of Drug Regulatory Affairs, he advises international organizations such as the WHO and the EU in the field of QM/QA and Regulatory Affairs. In 2016, Folker Spitzenberger joined the University of Applied Sciences Lübeck (TH Lübeck) where he represents the section of Regulatory Affairs for medical devices. Since 2021 he supports the Regulatory Affairs department at Fraunhofer IMTE in Lübeck as part of a cooperation between the TH Lübeck and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.
Britta Pirnay is a highly experienced professional in regulatory affairs for medical devices and quality management. She gained experience as RA/Quality Manager and PRRC (Art. 15 MDR) and topped her knowledge with the Master of Regulatory Affairs in 2022. Since 10/2022 she supports the Fraunhofer IMTE with her expertise in the field of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs as Research Assistant.
Alberto Di Benedetto is a highly experienced professional with a diverse background in quality management, regulatory affairs (medical devices), operations, supply management, and project management. Since 2017 he is managing director of QMB Qualint GmbH and offers his services as a freelancer in the field of regulatory affairs (medical devices) and quality management to companies and institutions in the medical device industry and research. During his tenure as Product Manager, Team Leader Operations - Hospital Care and Supply Engineer, he successfully established and led a new team, developed supply concepts for medical gases, qualified suppliers and introduced new services for hospitals in the field of safety and risk management. With a Master's degree in Regulatory Affairs and a degree in chemical engineering, Alberto brings a comprehensive skill set to the table. His expertise in logistics, production, and technology, along with his extensive knowledge of regulatory affairs and quality management, make him a valuable asset to any organization.
Additive Manufacturing of Electronical (AME) Devices for Medical Applications
Dr. Rafael del Rey, Nano Dimension, Munich, Germany
Course Description and Learning Objectives
This course offers an in-depth exploration of additive manufacturing techniques for electronic devices, with a specific focus on their applications in the medical engineering field. Through a comprehensive overview, students will gain a solid understanding of inkjet technology employed in the production of electronic devices. Additionally, the course will delve into the numerous advantages that additive manufacturing brings to medical engineering, including enhanced customization, reduced of development costs, and improved time efficiency. Building upon this foundation, the course will then shift gears to delve into the fundamentals of designing 3d electronics for devices in medical applications – how to bring a 3D idea into a printable data file. Students will learn about the range of medical electronic devices which use this 3D printing technology and explore the specific applications of printable electronic devices such as circuit boards, antennas, and small 3D coils in both general and medical engineering contexts. Finally, the course will emphasize the immense potential for high precision and miniaturization in medical electronics, highlighting the exciting opportunities that arise from advancements in additive manufacturing technologies. By the end of this course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of additive manufacturing of electronic devices in medical engineering, equipping them with valuable knowledge for future research and industry endeavors.
Course Outline
This comprehensive course provides an in-depth exploration of additive manufacturing techniques, with a specific focus on the techniques used in Dragonfly IV. Students will be introduced to the basics of multi-material inkjet-printing, the capabilities of Dragonfly IV, including multi-material, multi-layer 3D printing and the printing of circuits comprising substrate, conductive traces, and passive components. Design considerations for additive manufacturing, such as guidelines, optimization techniques, and limitations of micro 3D printing technology, will be covered. Through case studies, students will analyze real-world examples, including rapid prototyping of circuit boards and the printing of small 3D coils for measuring magnetic field geometries in medical applications like MRI and MPI. Success stories and innovations in additive manufacturing will be explored, along with the current challenges and emerging trends in the field. The course will conclude with a Q&A session, allowing students to engage with the material and seek clarifications from experts.
Course Duration
Total: 2 hours
1,5 h Lecture, 0,5 h Lab visit
Learning Objectives
Participants have a good understanding of the current capabilities and limitations of the technology
Target Group
Attendees from engineering, medicine and research, with an interest in practical background knowledge and application - basic knowledge from the field of additive manufacturing is advantageous for this course.
Lecturer
Dr. Rafael del Rey has almost 2 decades of experience in High-Speed Hardware design. Formerly, he oversaw the electrical architecture of an experimental aircraft as lead system engineer at Volocopter GmbH, researched high performance automotive computing hardware at Continental AG. and developed silicon reference platforms for NXP Semiconductor and Intel. Rafael del Rey is Doctor of Science in Electrical Engineering also holding a Master and a B.Sc in Electronic Systems Design. Since 2014, he teaches Analog Electronics and board Design at the master’s in electronic design at ITESO University in Mexico, in which since 2018, he obtained the full professor title.
When AM meets AI: Machine Learning for Shape Estimation and Manipulation
Dr. Jannis Hagenah, Fraunhofer IMTE, Lübeck, Germany
Course Description and Learning Objectives: One challenge of applying AM in the medical domain is that the desired, optimal shape of the object of interest is not always known. This is for example the case in personalized protheses, where only a pathologically deformed state can be assessed using medical imaging, which is obviously not the one we want to manufacture. The course module "When AM Meets AI: Machine Learning for Shape Estimation and Manipulation" explores the fusion of additive manufacturing (AM) and artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of medicine to overcome these shape uncertainties by leveraging the predictive power of data-driven models. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical case studies, participants will gain valuable insights into leveraging ML techniques to optimize and enhance the design, production, and customization of medical objects using additive manufacturing technologies.
Course Outline: The course begins with an introduction to the challenges of AM technologies in medicine regarding uncertain or unknown geometries, motivating the need for shape prediction and manipulation. The fundamentals of ML for shape estimation are covered, including preprocessing, feature extraction, and training and evaluation of ML models. Statistical shape modelling is emphasized as a key technique within this context. Participants then explore ML techniques for shape manipulation in AM, utilizing geometric deep learning methods and examining case studies related to personalized implant or prosthesis development. A significant aspect of the module is addressing shape estimation challenges in medical scenarios where the shape is unknown or uncertain, such as in the presence of diseases or imaging limitations. Participants learn about ML-based approaches to overcome these challenges and estimate shapes accurately. The module concludes with a look at future directions and challenges in the convergence of AM and AI, including emerging trends, ethical considerations, and potential advancements in shape estimation beyond current limitations.
Course Duration
Total 1 hour
Learning Objectives
- Understand the domain-specific challenges of shape estimation for additive manufacturing (AM) in medicine
- Gain insights into the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing AM processes
- Acquire knowledge of machine learning (ML) algorithms for shape estimation in medical contexts
- Explore the integration of AM and AI for optimizing and customizing medical object design and production
Target Group
This course module is designed for researchers, engineers, and medical professionals with a background in additive manufacturing and a keen interest in leveraging artificial intelligence techniques for shape estimation and manipulation. Participants should have prior knowledge of AM technologies. Familiarity with basic machine learning concepts will be beneficial but not mandatory.
Lecturer
Dr. Jannis Hagenah is a researcher on Artificial Intelligence in Medicine with strong interest in medical image and signal processing, medical robotics, and continual machine learning. In 2023, he joined Fraunhofer IMTE where he leads the research on Surgical AI. Before that, he worked at the University of Oxford and the University of Lübeck. He holds a PhD in computer science and an M.Sc. in medical engineering science, both from University of Lübeck. Furthermore, he is lecturer at the London Metropolitan University and the University of Applied Sciences Vienna. Jannis is board member of the Medical Imaging with Deep Learning (MIDL) foundation and treasurer of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology (EMBS) Germany Chapter.
Pushing the limits of patent law for optimal protection of MedTech/AM inventions
Marc Wachenhausen, German & European Patent Attorney & Thorsten Haslinde LL.M., German & European Patent Attorney LL.M. European Intellectual Property, WBH Wachenhausen Patentanwälte PartG mbB
Course Description and Learning Objectives: Patents are exclusive rights that can only be granted for technologies that are new, inventive and industrially applicable. Patents are assets which can help attract investment, secure licensing deals and provide market exclusivity. A patent can be maintained for a maximum of twenty years. Additive manufacturing (AM) patent applications at the European Patent Office (EPO) grew on average at a two-digit rate in the last years, much faster than the average yearly growth of patent applications at the EPO in the same period. A large share of the AM patent applications is directed to inventions in the medical and health sectors. Due to the nature of many AM inventions, there is a risk that traditional patent protection strategies do not ensure a thorough and enforceable protection of the AM invention. Recent landmark decisions of different Patent Offices and Patent Courts have acknowledged the new nature of AM inventions and provide new opportunities for effective protection of AM inventions through patents.
Course Outline: An introductory overview of patent law prepares the attendees for the subsequent key topics of this lecturer. While it is advantageous if attendees have prior basic knowledge of patent law, this is not a requirement for attending the course. The introductory overview will outline on a general level which inventions are eligible for patent protection and will explain the processes for obtaining and enforcing a patent against a competitor. Subsequently, the specific legal challenges in protecting inventions from the MedTech and AM fields will be highlighted, and solutions for overcoming these challenges in view of recent relevant case law will be presented. This will include a discussion of the patentability exception relevant to many MedTech inventions that European patents are not to be granted in respect of “methods for treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy and diagnostic methods practiced on the human or animal body”. It will also include as presentation of best practices for protecting software innate to many AM inventions. Finally, solutions for generating enforceable patents considering the new nature of many AM inventions will be presented.
Course Duration
Total 2 hours; 3 Submodules:
1) Introduction to patent law
2) Challenges and best practices for patent protection of MedTech inventions
3) Challenges and best practices for patent protection of AM inventions
Learning Objectives
- Attendees will be familiar with the value of patents and the general process for obtaining and enforcing a patent.
- Attendees will be able to identify which inventions are eligible to patent protection.
- Attendees will develop a sensitivity for the limits of patent protection in the MedTech and AM fields.
- Attendees will conceptually understand solutions for overcoming or at least pushing the limits of patent protection in the MedTech and AM fields.
Target Group
Persons from Research, Development, Design and Application, Legal, Venture Capital and Executives from the MedTech and/or AM field with broad interest from theoretical background to practical application; basic knowledge from the field of patent law is advantageous but not necessary for this course.
Lecturers
Marc Wachenhausen is a highly experienced patent attorney and co-founder of WBH Wachenhausen. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Marc has extensive knowledge in patent litigation, strategic patent prosecution, and IP counseling across various industries, including mechanical engineering and medical technology. Before co-founding WBH Wachenhausen, Marc was a partner at the Munich office of international law firm Bird & Bird LLP.
Marc is highly regarded in his field and has been recognized by JUVE Handbook as "competent, quick, and very client-oriented". He is frequently sought after for his expertise in license matters and settlement negotiations, and has successfully represented his clients in hearings at the Federal Patent Court and the Supreme Court, as well as in Regional Courts for infringement.
Marc holds a Dipl.-Ing. degree in Mechanical Engineering from RWTH Aachen and has also studied Combustion Engineering at the University of Utah in the US, as well as Chemistry at the University of Kassel. He has been involved in academi projects, speaks at multiple seminars and summits, and was the keynote speaker at the 2019 International Conference on "Additive Manufacturing Meets Medicine" (AMMM) in Lübeck. In addition, Marc serves as a member of the board of examiners for the patent attorney exam at the Federal Patent Court.
Marc's notable achievements include representing a telecom manufacturer in patent validity actions at the Federal Patent Court and the Federal Court of Justice, advising national and international technology corporations in settlement and license negotiations. With his deep insight into industry and strategic capabilities, Marc is highly respected by his clients and peers alike.
Thorsten Haslinde is a co-founder and partner of WBH Wachenhausen. With extensive technical expertise in medical technology and mechanical engineering, he specializes in opposition proceedings before the European Patent Office and in nullity proceedings before the Federal Patent Court. Thorsten is also frequently consulted in infringement proceedings and focuses on drafting and prosecuting national and international patent and design applications, as well as on general IP counseling.
Thorsten has a Master of Laws in European Intellectual Property from FernUniversität Hagen and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on energy, flows, and processes from ETH Zurich. He also has a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering Science from the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg. He has received multiple academic prizes and awards and is a lecturer for IP strategies for MedTech startups at the Technical University of Munich.
The JUVE Handbook recommends Thorsten Haslinde for the field of medical technology, describing him as "extremely visible in medical technology suits" and "very present and experienced in EPO oppositions to medical technology patents".
Thorsten's references include counseling of a medical device company in a cross-border entitlement action, representation in patent validity proceedings, and advising international technology corporations on IP portfolio optimization. He also elaborates and implements entry strategies into the European market for foreign medical technology companies and conducts IP due diligence for mergers and acquisitions.
Industrial X-ray CT: Fundamentals and Applications in the Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Parts and Hands-on CT
Muofhe Tshibalanganda, Application Engineer, Comet Yxlon, Germany & Maximilian Wattenberg, Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany
Course Description and Learning Objectives: Additive Manufacturing (AM) has developed strongly in the last decade, making it possible today to manufacture end-use products in different industries, including the medical field. Despite the numerous advantages offered by AM technology, there are hundreds of parameters that can reduce the quality of produced parts, necessitating stringent quality control. The quality and consistency of AM parts can be influenced by many interrelated factors, including design, material properties, and manufacturing parameters, which can result in defects and deviations from the desired design specifications, varying in severity and influence on part performance. One of the primary challenges associated with AM is ensuring the quality and consistency of produced parts, particularly internal defects like voids, cracks, and inclusions. These defects can lead to reduced mechanical properties, lower fatigue life, and premature failure of the parts. To ensure the quality and reliability of AM parts, it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive inspection and analysis. This is where X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) systems come into play. X-ray CT provides non-destructive high-resolution imaging of AM parts, allowing for detailed analysis of the part's internal structure and defects. Moreover, X-ray CT enables early identification of defects and deviations from the design specifications in the production process, improving quality control and reducing waste and rework.
This training workshop will provide participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to utilize X-ray CT systems for evaluating AM parts and improving the quality control of the production process.
Course Outline: The proposed training course is a 3-hour workshop designed for post-graduate (Master’s and Ph.D.) and postdoc students interested in utilizing X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) for evaluating additive manufacturing (AM) parts. The course comprises a mix of lecture slides, a practical CT session, and hands-on training in analyzing CT data using Dragonfly software, with a particular emphasis on deep learning. The theoretical section will cover the fundamental principles of industrial X-ray CT, encompassing the different types of X-ray sources, detectors, and imaging geometries, as well as the advantages and limitations of X-ray CT imaging. The practical session where we set up scans and selected optimal scanning parameters for an onsite Comet Yxlon CT system. The course instructor will offer guidance on optimizing scan parameters to obtain high-quality images of the samples. Participants will be introduced to Dragonfly software, a robust X-ray CT data analysis tool, in the data analysis section. Specifically, participants will learn how to use Dragonfly for porosity analysis, deep learning segmentation, and related tools. The course instructors will provide practical experience and guidance on using these tools effectively. The training organizers will provide the necessary equipment, including an X-ray CT system, computers with Dragonfly software, and sample preparation tools.
Course Duration
Total 3 hours; 3 Submodules:
1) Basic introduction to X-ray CT
2) Practical session: scanning AM parts - Hands-on CT
3) Analysis with Dragonfly
Learning Objectives
By the end of the training, participants will:
- Understand the basic principles of industrial X-ray CT and its applications
- Be able to set up scans and choose optimal scanning parameters for their own samples
- Know how to use Dragonfly software for porosity analysis, deep learning segmentation, and related tools
Target Group
This training session is a great opportunity for post-grad students and postdocs to learn about industrial X-ray CT and data analysis using Dragonfly software. The practical session and sample scanning will provide hands-on experience and allow participants to apply their knowledge. We encourage interested individuals to register for this training and take the first step towards becoming experts in industrial X-ray CT and data analysis.
Lecturers
Muofhe Tshibalanganda was born in Limpopo, South Africa, in 1993. She began her career as an X-ray CT analyst at the Stellenbosch CT Scanner Facility in South Africa, where she worked from 2017 to 2022. During her time at the facility, Muofhe gained extensive experience in non-destructive testing and image analysis.
Muofhe obtained her Master's degree in Earth Science (Geology) from Stellenbosch University in 2022. Her thesis focused on the use of X-ray computed tomography to characterise microfossils for petroleum exploration using a novel approach.
In June 2022, Muofhe joined Comet Yxlon in Hamburg, Germany as an Application Engineer. Since beginning her work in the industrial CT field, she has published numerous interdisciplinary research papers spanning geology, palaeontology, material science, additive manufacturing, anatomy, and biocontrol science and technology. Muofhe is dedicated to advancing the field of X-ray CT through innovative research and practical applications.
Maximilian Wattenberg was born in Bielefeld, Germany in 1990. He received his Master of Science in Medical Engineering Science in 2016 from the Universität zu Lübeck, Germany. During his study he was mainly interested in medical imaging and medical image processing. In 2016 he wrote his master thesis at the Philips GmbH Innovative Technologies, Research Laboratories in Hamburg about MR raw data-based respiratory navigators. Since 02/2017 he is a Research Assistant at the Institute of Medical Engineering where he works in the field of computer tomographic reconstruction and surface detection.Currently, Maximilian leads the NDT CT Lab at Fraunhofer IMTE.
Training Schedule
| Monday, September 11, 2023 | |||||
| Start | Module | Content | Lecturer | ||
| 10:30 | Welcome | Welcome Coffee | |||
| 10:55 | Welcome | Welcome Speech | Buzug | ||
| 11:00 | Module 1 | Introduction to 3D Printing: | |||
| 11:00 | Lecture | Current Technologies, Methods and Applications | Friedrich | ||
| 12:00 | Module 2 | Digitization and Data Preprocessing in Industry and Biomedicine | |||
| 12:00 | Lecture | Digitization and Data Preprocessing | Wattenberg | ||
| 13:00 | Break | Lunch | |||
| 13:30 | Module 3 | Anatomy Printing: Printed Brain Artery Phantoms | |||
| 13:30 | Lecture | Essential Data Processing and Printing Strategies | Schwenke | ||
| 14:30 | Module 4 | Metal Printing | |||
| 14:30 | Lecture | Current Challenges of the L-PBF System Manufacturers | Ahlers | ||
| 15:30 | Break | Transfer | |||
| 15:45 | Excursion | Visit of SLM-Solution Factory | Ahlers et al. | ||
| 16:45 | Break | Transfer | |||
| 17:00 | Module 5 | Hands-on - 3D Generative Manufacturing and Post-Processing in Practise | |||
| 17:00 | Lecture | Part 1: Printjob preparation | Friedrich | ||
| 18:00 | Lab Visit | Part 2: Postprocessing and machine maintenance | |||
| 18:45 | Closing Day 1 | Announcements | Buzug | ||
| 19:00 | Break | Free Time | |||
| 19:45 | Social Meeting | Lübeck Downtown | |||
| Tuesday, September 12, 2023 | |||||
| Start | Module | Content | Lecturer | ||
| 08:45 | Welcome | Welcome Coffee | |||
| 09:00 | Module 6 | Medical Device Regulation (MDR) | |||
| 09:00 | Lecture | Bringing Individualized Additively Manufactured Medical Devices into Market | Spitzenberger, Pirnay, Di Benedetto | ||
| 10:00 | Module 7 | Additive Manufacturing of Electronical (AME) Devices for Medical Applications | |||
| 10:00 | Lecture | Part 1: Additive Manufacturing of Electronical (AME) I | Del Rey | ||
| 11:30 | Lab Visit | Part 2: Additive Manufacturing of Electronical (AME) II | Friedrich | ||
| 12:00 | Break | Lunch | |||
| 12:30 | Module 8 | When AM meets AI | |||
| 12:30 | Lecture | Machine Learning for Shape Estimation and Manipulation | Hagenah | ||
| 13:30 | Module 9 | Pushing the limits of patent law for optimal protection of MedTech/AM inventions | |||
| 13:30 | Lecture | Part 1: Introduction to patent law | Wachenhausen, Haslinde | ||
| 14:00 | Lecture | Part 2: Challenges and best practices for patent protection of MedTech inventions | |||
| 14:45 | Lecture | Part 3: Challenges and best practices for patent protection of AM inventions | |||
| 15:30 | Break | Coffee Break and walk to the Lab | |||
| 16:00 | Module 10 | Industrial X-ray CT: Fundamentals and Applications in the Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Parts and Hands-on CT | |||
| 16:00 | Lecture | Part 1: Basic introduction to X-ray CT | Wattenberg | ||
| 16:45 | Lab Visit | Part 2.1: Practical session: scanning AM parts - Hands-on CT | |||
| 17:30 | Break | ||||
| 17:45 | Lab Visit | Part 2.2: Practical session: scanning AM parts - Hands-on CT | Tshibalanganda | ||
| 18:15 | Lecture | Part 3: Analysis with Dragonfly | |||
| 19:45 | Closing Day 2 | Announcements / Quality Validation | Buzug | ||
Subject to changes at short notice.
Lecturers
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Buzug
Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany
Dr. Thomas Friedrich
Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany
Maximilian Wattenberg
Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany
Muofhe Tshibalanganda
Comet Yxlon, Germany
Marc Wachenhausen
WBH Wachenhausen Patentanwälte PartG mbB, Germany
Thorsten Haslinde
WBH Wachenhausen Patentanwälte PartG mbB, Germany
Britta Pirnay
Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany
Alberto Di Benedetto
QMB Qualint GmbH, Germany
Prof. Dr. Folker Spitzenberger
Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany
Dr. Jannis Hagenah
Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany
Dr. med. Hannes Schwenke, MHBA
Neuroradiology, UKSH Lübeck & Fraunhofer IMTE, Germany
Dr. Dominik Ahlers
SLM Solutions, Germany
Dr. Rafael del Rey
Nano Dimension, Germany