(Re)building Patients’ Smiles and Bridging Teams Across Oceans with Materialise Mimics Enlight CMF

Mimics Enlight CMF provides precise surgical planning tools to help clinical engineers and surgeons prepare better for cranio-maxillofacial (CMF) surgeries. The software consists of orthognathic (jaw and face) and reconstruction (fibula/leg bone grafts for face) planners that use advanced modeling and simulation techniques to increase accuracy and decrease the time needed to plan CMF surgeries. All the while, it tailors patient-specific treatments to an individual’s needs.

“Our main goal with the tool isn’t to be a common toolbox, but an intuitive, user-friendly platform that will assimilate CMF surgeries,” explains Liliia Panichyk, Software Product Owner at Materialise Medical in Ukraine. “It benefits clinical engineers and surgeons by quickly providing detailed and accurate surgical plans. They don’t need to be proficient with computers to follow this workflow. They can go through all the steps without thinking about where to click. Our user interface (UI) is more accurate and efficient than doing the planning on their own. This reduces the operative time by substantially cutting down the hours needed for the preoperative planning stage of a surgery — ultimately benefiting patients.”

An easy-to-use UI is important as surgeons generally need several hours to prepare for cases, and the procedure usually takes 1.5 to 4 hours. “This doesn’t include a patient’s visits to the clinic and the surgeon analyzing their anatomy — it’s a complex procedure,” says Liliia. “The tool looks at orthognathic surgeries to address functional or aesthetic issues related to eating, breathing, sleeping, and speaking. Reconstructive surgeries tackle underlying facial deformities, like removing a tumor on the patient’s jaw and replacing it with a graft,” she continues.

 So, how is it possible to create a simple software solution for such complex procedures? Through diversity, collaboration, and different ways of thinking.

Mimics Enlight CMF has two software development teams, one in Ukraine and the other in Malaysia. “We're not the only team that has this setup, but it’s beneficial for us because we have access to a larger talent pool,” says Katrien Plessers, Software Product Manager at Materialise Medical in Belgium. “You need diverse perspectives and different approaches to problem-solving, especially when you’re dealing with software. Different regions bring creativity and novel solutions, ensure development continuity, and mitigate risks related to local disruptions,” states Katrien.

However, the software development teams are only one part of the operation. The Mimics Enlight CMF team also consists of the management team at our HQ in Belgium and other colleagues in different departments. “The team wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t mention clinical and application engineers, the sales and support teams, and the marketing department — they all play a role. We work together on the CMF project as a whole,” says Liliia.

The different teams work cohesively to ensure all project areas continue running smoothly. However, the development teams in Ukraine and Malaysia were vital in creating a tool with advanced visualization capabilities to meet specific clinical needs. “We love working with our colleagues in different regions. But there are some challenges. For example, differences in time zones are obvious: our Malaysian colleagues like to go to bed early,” says Katrien with a smile. “And, of course, there are cultural differences, and we’re all communicating in a second language. But I believe these things are not an issue; we work well together. The benefits definitely outweigh these minor factors,” she continues. And what are the benefits? A two-layered CMF solution and the potential for new products to enable various applications.

AI and automation are changing ways of working in various industries worldwide, and healthcare is no different. “Segmentation and landmarking are needed in all clinical applications, not just CMF. So, we always start with these functionalities for our planners,” explains Katrien. “You can automate the bits clinicians don’t like spending time on, so they only need to check the results. This speeds up their workflow tremendously.”

A diverse development team also means they can share ideas and different methodologies, which led to using a layered approach in Mimics Enlight CMF. The team used C++ for the foundational layer of the software, with the more easily programmable Python and JSON software for the top layer. “Enlight is the platform which uses C++, while the configurable workflows are made with these other, less complex computer languages,” reveals Katrien. “The advantage is that we can easily configure parts without touching the main C++ code. This benefits the Enlight platform as a whole. We can reuse it to create new planners quickly so other teams can produce innovative products. It benefits all of Materialise, not just the CMF team.”

C++ is a widely used code. So, if you want to have an application for external use, it’s a safe option. “Python is good for making prototypes, but C++ is more protected and better for the underlying code. We’re using software solutions to meet our and our clients’ needs. Another benefit of a layered approach is that we can have multiple products linked with the same underlying architecture. Our development teams are not the only ones connected,” explains Katrien.

This software structure allows citizen developers (or configurators) to set up workflows. Configurators are unique because they don’t necessarily have a technical background. “I started as a configurator, and it’s definitely possible to set up a workflow within three to six months of training,” says Liliia. Combining configurators with traditional coders gives the software development team an edge and allows different profiles (and ideas) to improve Mimics Enlight CMF.

“There isn’t a set profile for a configurator, which allows us to draw from a wider talent pool, meaning we can create a more optimal solution,” states Katrien. “We have three profiles: developers, quality engineers, and agile coaches. Developers write the code, quality engineers test the code, and agile coaches ensure our team works efficiently. We have a stable team in Ukraine and Malaysia with an equal distribution of profiles.”

Three software team profiles and a two-layered approach to software development. What’s next? The team has one focus: providing Mimics Enlight CMF worldwide.

Asia has one of the highest rates of orthognathic surgeries in the world. Previously, PROPLAN CMF™ catered for the Asian market and was particularly popular in Japan. Now, Mimics Enlight CMF looks to take on the role of its predecessor. “Orthognathic procedures are popular in Japan, South Korea, and China. There are functional and cosmetic demands for these procedures, and they’re continuing to grow,” states Liliia.

Japan is an important market for the Mimics Enlight CMF team. The tool has been available there for over a year, and it’s also used in Europe and the UK. “It was relatively simple to gain certification for Japan because we could use the same certifications we’ve used in similar products,” says Katrien. “The US will launch later once we receive FDA approval. We put a lot of effort into complying with the various regulations wherever we launch. Europe was particularly challenging since the MDR [Medical Device Regulation] changed there two years ago. We’ve submitted a ton of documentation, and it’s a big task to launch in new regions — in addition to the actual development, of course,” says Katrien.

“From a developer’s point of view, integrating advanced technologies into a user-friendly interface while also considering clinical accuracy were my main challenges — along with meeting regulatory requirements. I think the rest of the developers would agree. It was four years of hard work, but it was worth it,” continues Liliia.

Hard work, skill, and collaboration brought Mimics Enlight CMF to life. And now it sits proudly alongside our other medical offerings. “We have a strong software portfolio, and this tool ensures surgeons can easily plan their cases. However, we also have a strong catalog of services to complement it; clinical professionals can order personalized guides and implants from us. This combination makes us very  robust and covers all our customers’ needs,” declares Katrien.

Our products and services provide tangible benefits, but the intangible benefits are the real payoff, like rebuilding someone’s confidence by simply helping them smile again. “Personally, this project makes me feel wonderful. It’s hard to describe. But for me, I know I’m bringing value back to someone’s life, and physically, I feel a warmth inside knowing that I’m helping patients have a better quality of life,” explains Liliia.