3D printing is going to change the face of medicine. That’s at least what some people will tell you. It’s hard not to believe them either as there have already been amazing success stories of lives restored thanks to 3D printing. Now 3D Systems thinks it’s going to be a big business going forward and wants a piece of the pie before anybody else gets to it.

3D Systems announced today that it has acquired Medical Modeling – “a leading provider of personalized surgical treatments and patient specific medical devices, including virtual surgical planning and clinical transfer tools, using 3D modeling and printing.” Alongside the acquisition, 3D Systems is also consolidating its healthcare division under a single unit led by Medical Modeling President Andy Christensen. He is now 3D Systems’ Vice President of Personalized Surgery and Medical Devices.

“We are thrilled to become part of 3DS,” said Andy Christensen, President, Medical Modeling. “We already use most of 3DS’ leading professional design-to-manufacturing tools including its Geomagic Freeform modeling software and haptic tools and advanced manufacturing Stereolithography and ColorJet Printing professional-grade 3D printers,” continued Christensen. “Working with surgeons around the world on tens of thousands of patient cases gives us a unique perspective on surgical planning opportunities that, together with 3DS technology platform and resources, could accelerate our global growth and enhance overall patient outcomes.”

With this acquisition, 3D Systems is aiming to be the largest provider of personalized 3D printed medical devices:

“The combination of our rapidly growing healthcare business with Medical Modeling’s expanding range of products and services creates the largest 3D printing based personalized surgery and patient specific medical device service capabilities available today,” said Avi Reichental, 3DS President and CEO. “By leveraging our collective expertise, technologies and channels under the capable leadership of Andy Christensen, we plan to deliver an expanding range of direct metal and plastic medical devices designed to address this rapidly expanding opportunity.”

Medical Modeling is just the latest in a long string of acquisitions made by 3D Systems over the past few years. It’s last acquisition of Digital Playspace put it one step closer to producing 3D printed toys. It’s also getting into the 3D printed food market with its ChefJet Food 3D printer and a partnership with Hershey.

Image via Medical Modeling