Lincotek’s Medical Division, a supply chain solutions provider for the orthopedic manufacturing industry, has secured a new patent for a 3D-printed, customizable screw with an integrated lattice structure. The screw was designed for spine, sacroiliac (SI) joints, avascular necrosis, and other applications.

The U.S. 12,171, 464 B2 patent describes the novel concept, where the screw’s central shaft can be customized for surgeries in the different anatomical locations. Its mechanical properties can be adjusted to specific procedures and to the patient’s bone, Lincotek said.

Customization might include different thread profiles like self-tapping, cortical, or cancellous. Variable shaft diameters accommodate various anatomical needs, and the screw features internal channels or features for drug delivery or neurostimulation.

The patent also covers porous structures that were engineered to stimulate bone ingrowth and biological fixation, the company said, for both short-term stability and long-term osseointegration.

“We are excited to introduce this groundbreaking 3D-printed orthopedic screw, a true innovation in patient-specific implant application,” said Francesco Buccioti, Head of Global Business and Business Development at the Medical Division of Lincotek. “Lincotek’s R&D team is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of medical technology to develop solutions for our OEM customers that enhance patient outcomes. This novel design offers unparalleled customization, promoting faster healing and better integration with the patient’s bone—ultimately setting a new standard in orthopedic care.”

The company’s patented design supports patient-specific implants and scalable mass production. This way, the manufacturing process can be streamlined without complex assembly, according to the company.

“Finding the right balance between load sharing with host bone, structural stability and facilitating bone ingrowth is the key to a successful implant,” said Mukesh Kumar, Technology and R&D Director at the Medical Division of Lincotek. “Conventional bone screws are machined out of titanium and have a smoother surface. They have a solid construction with only bone ongrowth facilitating recovery—in this case, recovery is entirely dependent on elimination of micro-motion. With our new patented 3D-printed screw, there’s a support system to allow the body to form new bone tissue and evoke bone ingrowth as a means to prevent micro-motion. We feel it will be of great interest for reconstruction applications, as well as hip and spine customers. Our design engineers can tailor the proportions of porous region, threads, shape, and structure to the central shaft to design for the specific bone site.”