3D printing in health care is not just a futuristic concept, but a present reality that is reshaping the medical landscape. In this blog post, we will explore the ways 3D printing is revolutionizing the health care industry. We will also discuss the types of healthcare items that are 3D printed. We will also discuss the history of 3D printing in healthcare and speculate on its future prospects.
What is The Future of 3D Printing in Healthcare?
The future of 3D printing in health care is promising and exciting. Grand View Research conducted a study on the global 3D printing medical devices market. They conducted a study and found the market size. The value of the market size was USD 1.25 billion in 2020. They also projected that this market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.6% from 2021 to 2028.
This growth is driven by the rising demand for custom medical devices, increased use of 3D printing in medicine, advancements in 3D printing technology and materials, and supportive government policies.
Where 3D Printing is Used in Health Care?
Bioprinting: This is the process of using 3D printing to create living tissues and organs from biological materials such as cells, biomolecules, and scaffolds. Bioprinting can offer solutions for organ transplantation, tissue engineering, drug testing, and disease modeling.
Prosthetics and implants: This is the process of using 3D printing to create artificial limbs and devices that replace or enhance the function of a missing or damaged body part. Prosthetics and implants can be tailored to align with a patient’s anatomy, preferences, and needs. This customization enhances the comfort, functionality, and aesthetics of these medical devices.
Surgical tools and models: This is the process of using 3D printing to create instruments and devices that assist surgeons in performing complex and delicate procedures. Surgical tools and models can be tailored to align with a patient’s specific anatomy, pathology, and condition. This customization improves the accuracy, safety, and efficiency of surgical procedures.
Dental products: This is the process of using 3D printing to create dental products such as crowns, bridges, dentures, implants, braces, and aligners. Dental products can be manufactured with a high level of precision, quality, and durability. This manufacturing process reduces both the cost and time associated with dental treatments.
What Healthcare Items Are 3D Printed?
Some examples of healthcare items that are 3D printed are:
- Ear
- Heart
- Skull
- Jaw
- Trachea
In 2013, researchers from Cornell University used a 3D printer to create a human ear from living cells. The ear had a realistic shape and structure and could potentially restore hearing for people with ear deformities or injuries.
In 2019, researchers from Tel Aviv University used a 3D printer to create a miniature heart from human cells. The heart had blood vessels, chambers, and valves and could contract like a real heart. The heart was a proof-of-concept for future applications of bioprinting human organs.
In 2014, surgeons fitted a Dutch patient with a 3D printed skull implant, replacing most of her original skull. The surgeons crafted the implant from plastic, customizing its shape and size to match her skull. This implant enhanced both her brain function and appearance.
In 2012, an elderly woman from Belgium received a 3D printed jaw implant that replaced her lower jaw. They made the implant from titanium. The complex design of the implant included joints, muscles, nerves, and teeth. The implant restored her ability to eat, speak, and breathe.
In 2011, a toddler from South Korea received a 3D printed trachea implant that saved his life. They made the implant from plastic. The implant had tiny holes which let the air flow through. The implant prevented his trachea from collapsing due to a rare condition.
When Was 3D Printing Used in Healthcare?
Charles Hull invented stereolithography (SLA) in the late 1980s. This invention, one of the first methods of creating solid objects from liquid resin using ultraviolet light, marked the beginning of the history of 3D printing in health care. In 1988, Hull used SLA to create the first medical model of a human organ: a kidney.
Since then, 3D printing has evolved and diversified into various methods such as fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), electron beam melting (EBM), polyjet printing (PJP), inkjet printing (IJP), laminated object manufacturing (LOM), digital light processing (DLP), binder jetting (BJ), material jetting (MJ), sheet lamination (SL), powder bed fusion (PBF), directed energy deposition (DED), and bioprinting (BP).
Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of speed, accuracy, resolution, cost, material, and application. Depending on the method, 3D printing can create objects from various materials such as plastics, metals, ceramics, composites, and biological materials.
How 3D Printing is Revolutionizing The Healthcare Industry?
3D printing is revolutionizing the health care industry by offering several benefits such as:
Personalization: 3D printing has the capability to produce medical products customized to a patient’s unique characteristics, preferences, and needs. This customization enhances the fit, function, and comfort of the medical products.
Innovation: 3D printing can enable the creation of novel and complex medical products that are difficult or impossible to make with conventional methods, expanding the possibilities and potential of medical science and technology.
Quality: 3D printing can produce medical products with high precision, quality, and durability, reducing the risk of errors, defects, and complications.
Efficiency: 3D printing can reduce the time and cost of medical production and delivery, increasing the accessibility and availability of medical products for patients and healthcare providers.
Sustainability: 3D printing can reduce the waste and environmental impact of medical production and consumption, promoting a circular economy and a greener future.
Conclusion
3D printing is a powerful and versatile technology that is transforming the healt hcare industry in many ways. 3D printing is creating personalized, innovative, high-quality, efficient, and sustainable medical products. These products are enhancing the health and well-being of millions worldwide. With the ongoing advancement and evolution of 3D printing, new opportunities and challenges are emerging for both the healthcare sector and society.
Check out my other articles that may interest you.
