KLS Martin Will Deliver 500 Bioceramic Implants by Q3 2026
The company is scaling its IPS Gate platform to provide patient-specific, 3D-printed scaffolds by late 2026.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Biotech
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KLS Martin will reach a milestone of 500 delivered patient-specific bioceramic implants by the end of Q3 2026 through its IPS Gate digital planning platform. The initiative utilizes Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing technology to produce scaffolds tailored to individual patient anatomy.
Why it matters
The transition to a digital workflow for bespoke ceramic implants accelerates the surgical timeline from diagnostic imaging to the finished surgical device. This shift reflects a broader integration of 3D-printing precision into standard clinical practice for bone reconstruction.
KLS Martin utilizes Lithography-based Ceramic Manufacturing (LCM) to create complex geometries and controlled porosities in scaffolds. These devices are produced using LithaBone TCP material, following a 12-year research collaboration with Lithoz.
The players
KLS Martin
A Germany-based manufacturer of surgical devices specializing in patient-specific implants and digital surgical planning.
Lithoz
A Vienna-based engineering firm that specializes in additive manufacturing technologies for high-performance ceramics.
The details
The IPS Gate platform integrates patient-specific implant production directly into the existing digital surgical planning workflow. By using LCM 3D printers, manufacturers can control the microscopic architecture of the ceramic, which is then secured in the patient using the SonicWeld Rx system that employs resorbable polymer pins. This method replaces conventional, generic-fit implants with geometry tailored precisely to CT scan data.
Timeline
2011: Lithoz was founded.
2025: Lithoz secured ISO 13485 certification.
Q3 2026: KLS Martin expects to reach 500 delivered implants.
The Tech Race
KLS Martin's expansion follows the established industry trend toward digital planning portals like 3D Systems' VSP Connect, which launched in 2023. The platform represents an attempt to secure a market lead in high-precision, patient-specific ceramic bone reconstruction.
Clinicians gain the ability to order implants matched to specific patient CT data, potentially reducing the time required to procure custom scaffolding. The workflow currently requires integration with the IPS Gate system to facilitate the transition from digital scan to manufactured hardware.
The takeaway
The move toward 500 delivered implants signals a transition from R&D phase to scalable production for patient-specific ceramics. Stakeholders should track the Q3 2026 milestone to determine how production capacity scales for subsequent orthopedic applications.
What happens next
KLS Martin is on track to reach the milestone of 500 delivered bioceramic implants by the close of Q3 2026.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in 3D-printed medical devices, visit our Biotech section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 3D Printing Industry.
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Would you prefer a 3D-printed custom medical implant if one were recommended by your surgeon?
