On September 3, 2025, Antarctic Bear learned that the academic medical system of the University of California, San Diego—UC San Diego Health—successfully completed the world’s first anterior cervical surgery using fully customized implants designed according to the patient’s anatomical structure. This personalized implant minimizes interference with surrounding structures through precise spinal alignment, thereby reducing surgical complications, accelerating recovery, and lowering the risk of future corrective surgeries.
This innovation brings special hope to patients with spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or spinal deformities, who can benefit from a level of customization previously unattainable in spinal surgeries.
Joseph Osorio, MD, a neurosurgery associate professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine and a neurosurgeon at UC San Diego Health, stated: “This is the first step towards a larger transformation. We envision a future where all implants, whether for the spine, hip, or knee, are tailored to individuals rather than being one-size-fits-all.”
△Dr. Joseph Osorio, a neurosurgeon at UC San Diego Health, holds the world’s first fully personalized anterior cervical implant. Image courtesy of UC San Diego Health.
Changing the Future of Implants
The surgery was performed in July 2025 and involved the removal of a damaged cervical disc and the fusion of surrounding vertebrae using a 3D printed titanium implant. Unlike traditional “one-size-fits-all” devices, this new approach integrates advanced imaging technology, AI-assisted planning, and additive manufacturing techniques to achieve a perfect anatomical fit.
Osorio remarked: “Every spine is unique, just like a fingerprint. With this technology, we can customize implants for each patient without forcing their bodies to adapt to a standard device. This represents a fundamental shift in how we approach complex spinal surgeries.”
Alexander Khalessi, MD, MBA, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine, emphasized the significance of this milestone: “This first case exemplifies how innovative devices and exceptional surgical techniques can help patients regain function. We are expanding the potential for treating complex spinal diseases at UC San Diego Health.”
△Custom-designed titanium implant. Image courtesy of UC San Diego Health.
Personalized Surgery and 3D Printing Innovation
In July, a surgical team at the Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane performed a complex surgery to replace a significant portion of a patient’s aorta. Scans revealed that the patient’s aorta had expanded to nearly 8 centimeters, far exceeding the normal range of 2 to 3 centimeters. To plan this high-risk surgery, the team utilized a full-size 3D printed model of the patient’s aorta created in collaboration with the Houston-based HBI (Houstons Biofabrication Institute). Engineers and designers used detailed digital scan data to create an accurate replica with the Stratasys J750 digital anatomy 3D printer, providing surgeons with a practical tool to better understand the aorta’s anatomy and anticipate potential complications.
Additionally, Ricoh USA has formed a strategic partnership with Insight Surgery, a Houston-based medical technology company specializing in personalized surgical planning and guide fabrication. This collaboration aims to provide patient-customized surgical guides for pediatric and adult orthopedic and maxillofacial surgeries, thereby enhancing surgical precision and efficacy across hospitals in the United States. Under the agreement, Ricoh 3D Medical will distribute Insight Surgery’s custom guides, supporting surgeries such as osteotomies, pelvic surgeries, limb deformity corrections, orthopedic tumor cases, and facial reconstructions. Each guide will be directly applied to the anatomical structure based on the patient’s virtual surgical plan, helping surgeons achieve greater accuracy during procedures. (Source: Antarctic Bear, copyright belongs to the original author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for prompt removal.)
