AP-HP and BONE 3D signed a development and operating license agreement in September 2019 for a nostril conformer used after rhinoplasty or cleft lip and palate surgery to maintain the nasal septum and nostril wings in an optimal position from a functional standpoint. This biocompatible silicone medical device, which allows proper breathing through the nose and promotes healing, has the particularity of adapting to all nasal morphologies and can be custom designed.

Dr. Roman-Hossein Khonsari, from the pediatric maxillofacial surgery department of the Necker-Enfants malades AP-HP hospital, directed by Prof. Arnaud Picard, has developed with Bone 3D, a start-up company specializing in the 3D printing of innovative medical devices (nasal splint, surgical guides), the BB-Rhino nostril conformer. This medical device allows, after a rhinoplasty (nose surgery) or a cleft lip and palate surgery, to maintain the nasal septum and the nostril wings. It allows the patient to breathe correctly and to avoid retractions due to the cicatrisation. It is indeed equipped with a philtrum support plate (which is the dimple located in the middle of the upper lip) which, by pressotherapy (stimulation of blood exchanges and lymphatic flows in order to improve blood circulation), will allow a better control of the scarred area. Available in about ten sizes, the conformer exists in two colors (brown or transparent) and in two flexibilities. It has the particularity of adapting to all nose morphologies and can be custom-made for nostril reconstructions.

AP-HP and the Bone 3D company have filed a patent and signed a development and operating license in September 2019. This device, which is already used at the Necker-Enfants malades hospital and the Robert-Debré AP-HP hospital, will be able to be used in rhinoplasty and in all pediatric and adult maxillofacial surgery departments of AP-HP hospitals.

Bone 3D will develop, promote, market and distribute the technology under this license. Other partnerships between AP-HP and Bone 3D may be established in the field of 3D printing for medical and surgical use.

The link of the article on the APHP website is available here.