IU Health opens FDA-cleared 3D printing studio in Indianapolis innovation district
Hospital-based program developed with Ricoh targets surgical planning and patient care
Indiana University Health has opened a dedicated 3D print studio at the 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis, making the facility among the first hospital-based, FDA-cleared 3D printing programs in the United States.
The studio produces patient-specific anatomical models intended to support diagnostic accuracy and pre-surgical planning across IU Health’s clinical teams. The program was developed in partnership with Ricoh 3D for Healthcare, LLC, with workflows shaped through direct input from IU Health physicians to address the practical requirements of surgical teams and specialists on the ground.
FDA clearance places the studio within a narrow category of hospital-based programs operating under formal regulatory oversight, with compliance maintained through Ricoh’s managed services platform covering patient-specific anatomical models and select radiotherapy and surgical applications.
Surgical and clinical applications
According to IU Health, surgeons working with anatomical models produced by the studio have reported an average 60-minute reduction in operating time, with associated reductions in anesthesia use and blood loss cited as secondary benefits. The models also allow surgical teams to determine device sizing and assess angles and measurements before entering the operating room.
Beyond procedural preparation, the studio supports medical education by providing cadaver-free training resources and serves a patient communication function during informed-consent discussions.
“Being able to place a 3D printed, patient-specific model in a parent’s hands changes the conversation,” said Jeremy Herrmann, MD. “Families gain a deeper understanding of their child’s diagnosis and treatment when they can see and physically interact with the anatomy.”
The 16 Tech Innovation District location places the studio within an established technology and life sciences cluster in central Indianapolis – the site is home to 300+ innovation-related entities and, as claimed by its owner, all the state’s tier-1 research institutions.
