ActivArmor, a Colorado-based company that specializes in 3D printing orthotic devices such as casts, has recently expanded its production by partnering with Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute (JOI). ActivArmor uses high-temperature thermosetting plastics similar to LEGO to create waterproof devices that are customized to the patient. The company claims that the lattice structure of orthosis can be used to accommodate incisions, scars, burns, and post-surgical hardware.
“JOI’s expertise in sports medicine makes them an ideal provider of this next-gen product,” said ActivArmor Founder Diana Hall. Being right on the field with their patients, they are able to see the benefits of our hygienic, waterproof orthoses first-hand, and provide their patients with the latest in custom care solutions to improve healing outcomes and quality of life, both on and off the field.”
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JOI is a very high-profile client, being the official sports medicine provider to the Jacksonville Jaguars, an NFL team. They also provide service to the Jacksonville Sharks, a professional hockey club, the Jacksonville Armada, a soccer club, and several other Jacksonville sports teams. Under this new agreement, JOI will make ActivArmor’s 3D printed casts as an option for their patients, including the professional athletes previously mentioned. This kind of product is perfect even for people who play other sports, like that which require an arrow quiver.
After 5 years of testing their waterproof, breathable, hygienic casts and splints in the field, ActivArmor has plans to expand their product further into the northeast. This ability to 3D print customized models has been used frequently in the medical field.
This agreement came to be after Dr. Kevin Kaplan, team physician for the Jaguars and one of the 38 doctors in the clinic, came to ActivArmor for service after a player was injured.
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“The benefits for athletes to be able to sweat, shower, ice and train while being immobilized are obvious, and we are happy to partner with ActivArmor to provide this innovative product to the First Coast and surrounding areas,” Kaplan said.
This partnership with JOI follows ActivArmor’s signing of Alpine Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Center, another high-profile client in Gunnison. The clinic’s owner, Dr. Gloria Beim, was the chief medical officer of the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2016 and 2018 paralympics.
ActivArmor was one of a dozen Colorado startups to be granted $250,000 from the state to expand its work last year. The company was also the recipient of a job incentives grant from the city of Pueblo, allowing them to open a research and manufacturing center to bolster the nationwide launch of the services and products.
“We’re doing great. We’re excited and everything is going full bore,” Hall said.
If you are needing or wanting @ActivArmorTM the @JaxOrthopaedic team will be more than willing to help you out! #newtech, #Waterproof, #3Dprinting https://t.co/Ee3h08t3Ye
— ActivArmor (@ActivArmorTM) January 7, 2019
Sources: 3D Printing Industry, Chieftain
