/ News
3D Systems Will Enter The Realm of Virtual Reality With Acquisition of Simbionix Surgical Simulation Company
There are so many intersections between 3D printing and medicine. We have seen this in the countless stories we have covered over the past six months, related to anything from 3D printed prosthetics and 3D printed medical implants, to 3D printed medical models which are used to help guide surgeons during a procedure. 3D Systems realizes this, and back in April they acquired a company called Medical Modeling Inc. The acquisition immediately made 3D Systems one of the leaders within the surgical planning, 3D printed medical device space.
Apparently the company wishes to further their medical capabilities some more. Today 3D Systems agreed to acquire Simbionix, yet another 3D medical related company. The acquisition which is expected to close within 30 days will require 3D Systems to pay $120 million in cash for the company.
Simbionix is a global leader in 3D virtual reality surgical simulation and training. Founded in 1997, and based in Cleveland Ohio, they are committed to advancing clinical performance and optimizing procedural outcomes through education and collaboration. They have over 16 simulation platforms for over 60 different interventional procedures.
“Simbionix is a perfect match for our healthcare business and its powerful technology, products, channels and domain expertise expands our 3D healthcare capabilities from the training room to the operating room, and extends our first mover advantage in this fast growing vertical,” said Avi Reichental, President and Chief Executive Officer, 3DS.
Synergies between the two companies should make 3D Systems a medical simulation and modeling powerhouse, capable of assisting surgeons in multiple aspects of a surgery. From the planning and training, to guidance during a procedure, to fabrication of actual implants, 3D Systems will have the capabilities to transform the way in which many surgeries are conducted. In addition, the sales channels and relationships within the industry that Simbionix has already obtained, will prove to be a valuable asset within the industry.
“3D Systems is the recognized 3D healthcare leader and they have an exceptional track record of commercially deploying innovative virtual surgery and medical device products and services,” said Gary Zamler, Simbionix Corporation CEO. “We couldn’t be more excited to join this fine organization and look forward to accelerate our growth by enhancing the entire 3D digital thread for the benefit of our customers worldwide.”
Simbionix CEO Gary Zamler, will obtain the title of Vice President and General Manager of Simbionix Products for 3DS, and continue to lead in the main operations of the acquired business. Further details pertaining to this acquisition by 3D Systems will be released during their conference call, scheduled for tomorrow morning, following the release of their second quarter financial results.
Let’s hear you opinion about the medical aspirations of 3D Systems in the Simbionix acquisition forum thread on 3DPB.com.
Source: http://3dprint.com/10750/3d-systems-simulation/
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Founded by Russian entrepreneur Dmitry Itskov in February 2011 with the participation of leading Russian specialists in the field of neural interfaces, robotics, artificial organs and systems.
The main goals of the 2045 Initiative: the creation and realization of a new strategy for the development of humanity which meets global civilization challenges; the creation of optimale conditions promoting the spiritual enlightenment of humanity; and the realization of a new futuristic reality based on 5 principles: high spirituality, high culture, high ethics, high science and high technologies.
The main science mega-project of the 2045 Initiative aims to create technologies enabling the transfer of a individual’s personality to a more advanced non-biological carrier, and extending life, including to the point of immortality. We devote particular attention to enabling the fullest possible dialogue between the world’s major spiritual traditions, science and society.
A large-scale transformation of humanity, comparable to some of the major spiritual and sci-tech revolutions in history, will require a new strategy. We believe this to be necessary to overcome existing crises, which threaten our planetary habitat and the continued existence of humanity as a species. With the 2045 Initiative, we hope to realize a new strategy for humanity's development, and in so doing, create a more productive, fulfilling, and satisfying future.
The "2045" team is working towards creating an international research center where leading scientists will be engaged in research and development in the fields of anthropomorphic robotics, living systems modeling and brain and consciousness modeling with the goal of transferring one’s individual consciousness to an artificial carrier and achieving cybernetic immortality.
An annual congress "The Global Future 2045" is organized by the Initiative to give platform for discussing mankind's evolutionary strategy based on technologies of cybernetic immortality as well as the possible impact of such technologies on global society, politics and economies of the future.
Future prospects of "2045" Initiative for society
2015-2020
The emergence and widespread use of affordable android "avatars" controlled by a "brain-computer" interface. Coupled with related technologies “avatars’ will give people a number of new features: ability to work in dangerous environments, perform rescue operations, travel in extreme situations etc.
Avatar components will be used in medicine for the rehabilitation of fully or partially disabled patients giving them prosthetic limbs or recover lost senses.
2020-2025
Creation of an autonomous life-support system for the human brain linked to a robot, ‘avatar’, will save people whose body is completely worn out or irreversibly damaged. Any patient with an intact brain will be able to return to a fully functioning bodily life. Such technologies will greatly enlarge the possibility of hybrid bio-electronic devices, thus creating a new IT revolution and will make all kinds of superimpositions of electronic and biological systems possible.
2030-2035
Creation of a computer model of the brain and human consciousness with the subsequent development of means to transfer individual consciousness onto an artificial carrier. This development will profoundly change the world, it will not only give everyone the possibility of cybernetic immortality but will also create a friendly artificial intelligence, expand human capabilities and provide opportunities for ordinary people to restore or modify their own brain multiple times. The final result at this stage can be a real revolution in the understanding of human nature that will completely change the human and technical prospects for humanity.
2045
This is the time when substance-independent minds will receive new bodies with capacities far exceeding those of ordinary humans. A new era for humanity will arrive! Changes will occur in all spheres of human activity – energy generation, transportation, politics, medicine, psychology, sciences, and so on.
Today it is hard to imagine a future when bodies consisting of nanorobots will become affordable and capable of taking any form. It is also hard to imagine body holograms featuring controlled matter. One thing is clear however: humanity, for the first time in its history, will make a fully managed evolutionary transition and eventually become a new species. Moreover, prerequisites for a large-scale expansion into outer space will be created as well.
Key elements of the project in the future
• International social movement
• social network immortal.me
• charitable foundation "Global Future 2045" (Foundation 2045)
• scientific research centre "Immortality"
• business incubator
• University of "Immortality"
• annual award for contribution to the realization of the project of "Immortality”.
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