PolyUnity, a leader in 3D printing solutions for healthcare, is excited to announce its latest project under the CAN Health Network. This initiative is designed to provide clinical engineering teams at Nova Scotia Health with easy access to 3D printing capabilities.

The "test and try" project aims to empower not only clinical engineers but all healthcare facilities, equipping them with the tools needed to solve equipment challenges and extend the lifespan of devices, ultimately improving patient care.

The model is not new to Nova Scotia Health. Through the Health Innovation Hub, the organization has been at the forefront of testing and implementing innovative treatments, technologies, and solutions to improve healthcare. And the partnership with PolyUnity is leveraging Canadian industry to develop solutions for the unique challenges facing the healthcare system.

“By trialing a full-service 3D printing service within our healthcare system, we are ensuring that healthcare facilities have the tools they need,” says Doris Grant, Managing Director of the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub and CEO of Life Sciences Nova Scotia. “This collaboration is a step toward innovative, sustainable solutions.”

Smarter, More Efficient Healthcare Solutions

Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, uses a computer-controlled process to create three-dimensional objects by depositing materials layer by layer. By harnessing Additive Manufacturing-as-a-Service (AMaaS), healthcare providers can access rapid, innovative product solutions that drive operational efficiencies and reduce costs. AMaaS enables healthcare professionals—such as clinical engineers, doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists—to quickly transform problems into prototypes and commercial products.

A great example of this in action is the integration of the Masimo mounting system. A clinical team at Dartmouth General Hospital, led by Rachel Nepela, partnered with the Health Innovation Hub to conduct a test and try of Masimo, a wearable vitals monitoring technology that allows triage nurses to monitor patients' vitals in real time while awaiting care in the Emergency Department.

Then, Alan Spurway, Clinical Engineer at Nova Scotia Health, identified an opportunity to streamline the Masimo monitoring station, making it more ergonomic and user-friendly for staff. After collaborating with the Dartmouth General Hospital team and PolyUnity’s design experts, a custom 3D-printed mounting system was developed, printed, and tested in the Emergency Department.

The Masimo test and try has now been approved for provincial expansion, meaning every emergency department in Nova Scotia will benefit from the Masimo technology—enhanced by the custom 3D-printed mounting system—leading to improved workflows for staff and better patient care.

To date, PolyUnity has worked with healthcare organizations across Canada to develop over 500 medical devices. These innovations include replacement parts, custom laboratory equipment, medical play devices for pediatrics, and much more. The ultimate goal is to minimize disruptions in care delivery and improve the financial sustainability of the healthcare system.

The trial of PolyUnity’s 3D printing service within Nova Scotia Health offers a valuable opportunity for clinical care and engineering teams to better serve the system. This project focuses on enabling:

• Engineering Autonomy: Teams can rapidly produce replacement parts, adapters, and customized tools, reducing reliance on original equipment manufacturers and minimizing delays from supply chain disruptions.

• Enhanced Problem-Solving: Clinical engineers gain the flexibility to prototype solutions tailored to specific clinical needs, adapting to changing requirements in real time.

• Improved Healthcare Resiliency: The ability to source unique or specialized solutions helps increase equipment lifespan and reduces environmental and economic costs related to premature equipment replacement.

“This project empowers clinical engineers with the tools they need to reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and keep critical equipment operational,” says PolyUnity CEO Jacqueline Lee. “The impact extends far beyond 3D printing - it helps to ensure health care workers have the tools they need to focus on providing patient care”

The Health Innovation Hub collaborates with partners across the healthcare system to understand needs and identify effective solutions. Through the support of the CAN Health Network – a national initiative that connects health care operators with Canadian technology companies – projects like this enable the  deployment and evaluation of innovative solutions in real-world clinical environments.

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