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3D Printing In Medicine And Healthcare: How To Use, Types And Benefits
The best way to predict the future is to create it, and 3D printing in healthcare perfectly exemplifies this idea. From customized prosthetics to personalized implants, the benefits of 3D printing in healthcare are revolutionizing the way medical devices are designed and produced.
Researchers are already exploring the possibility of printing organs and tissues, which could reform the field of transplantation. Moreover, 3D printing enables the creation of precise dummy models for surgeries, drastically reducing post-surgical risks and complications. The future of medicine is exciting, and the 3D printer is at the forefront of this.
3D
Printing
In
Healthcare:
How
To
Use
3D
printers
are
used
in
multiple
areas
of
medicine.
Its
multifaceted
use
makes
it
handy
for
different
branches
of
medicine.
Let's
take
a
quick
tour
of
the
different
ways
in
which
3D
printers
can
be
used
in
medicine:
Advanced
surgical
planning
The
surgical
team
uses
the
patient's
scans
to
build
a
replica/model
of
the
patient
to
plan
and
practice
the
surgery.
These
3D
printed
models
are
an
exact
copy
of
the
patient's
operating
field.
This
prepares
the
surgeon
for
the
surgery,
increases
his
efficiency,
and
also
reduces
operational
time.
Customized
implants
Personalized
3D-printed
implants
are
used
for
reconstructing
an
internal
body
part
that
has
a
complex
geometry.
3D
printing
in
healthcare
is
being
used
for
the
reconstruction
of
a
section
of
the
skull
or
the
jaw
that
was
lost
due
to
trauma
or
cancer.
These
implants
are
biocompatible
and
can
fuse
with
human
tissues
and
bones.
Affordable
prosthetic
body
parts
3D
printers
can
manufacture
custom-fit
body
parts
with
precision
and
accuracy
in
large
batches.
This
reduces
the
expenses
for
a
lot
of
pediatric
patients
who
require
changes
to
their
prostheses
as
they
grow
older.
They
also
make
your
prosthetic
limb
so
comfortable
that
it
feels
like
a
part
of
your
body.
Manufacturing
medical
instruments
A
lot
of
producers
of
medical
tools
have
embraced
3D
printing
technology
to
create
brand-new
medical
gadgets
and
surgical
instruments
due
to
the
technology's
simplicity
of
use
and
low
cost.
In-house
3D
printing
has
also
revolutionized
product
development.
Printing
organs
and
tissues
for
transplantation
Organ
and
tissue
printing
is
one
of
the
most
intriguing
fields
of
3D
printing
research.
This
technology
has
the
potential
to
change
the
field
of
transplantation
by
eliminating
the
need
for
donor
organs
and
lowering
the
danger
of
rejection.
The
printing
of
complicated
tissues
like
the
liver
and
heart
has
already
made
substantial
progress
in
this
field
of
study.
Personalized
medicine
Another
area
of
development
with
enormous
potential
is
the
use
of
3D
printing
for
medicine
delivery.
3D
printing
can
create
customized
medicines
that
are
suited
to
a
person's
particular
needs
by
printing
medications
in
exact
quantities
and
shapes.
This
may
increase
the
potency
of
medications
and
lessen
the
possibility
of
side
effects.
Dentistry
3D
printers
are
actively
printing
surgical
guides
for
accurate
dental
implant
placement
and
making
precision-fit
and
aesthetic
ceramic
dental
crowns,
bridges,
and
dentures.
With
chairside
3D
printers,
you
can
now
walk
out
with
a
dental
crown
on
the
same
day!
3D
printing
in
healthcare:
the
process
In
three-dimensional
(3D)
printing,
materials
such
as
plastic,
metal,
ceramics,
powders,
liquids,
or
even
living
cells
are
fused
or
deposited
in
layers
to
create
a
three-dimensional
item.
This
method
is
also
known
as
"solid
free-form
technology"
(SFF),
"rapid
prototyping"
(RP),
and
"additive
manufacturing"
(AM).
The
steps
in
the
workflow
are:
1.
Digital
image
2.
Designing
3.
Digital
file
preparation
4.
3D
printing
5.
Post-processing
and
finishing
The digital scans, MRI scans, or CT scan reports of the patient's desired body parts are recorded, verified, and added to the 3D printing software.
CAD/CAM (computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing) then identifies the structures of interest and creates a 3D computer model that is well segmented and tagged (image segmentation). The virtual design of the prosthesis/organ is made and superimposed on the model.
The potentially multi-part 3D models consist of surface meshes, connections, and surface colour. Surfaces can also be partitioned to facilitate the dismantling of the final print, making it easier to view diseases or structures of interest. The 3D model is then transferred to the printer by converting the DICOM file to an STL file so that the printer software can comprehend it.
The final prosthesis is then printed using either fused deposition modeling (FDM), thermal inkjet printing, or selective laser sintering (SLS).
Benefits
of
3D
printing
in
healthcare
The
potential
for
3D
printing
in
healthcare
is
vast
which
makes
it
immensely
beneficial
for
the
healthcare
industry.
Precision
and
accuracy
The
data
used
to
print
3-D
printed
prostheses
and
tissues
is
digital.
They
are
machine-stitched
scans
and
photos.
Hence,
there
is
very
little
room
for
inaccurate
data
interpretation.
Incorporated
AI
(artificial
intelligence)
can
immediately
detect
an
area
that
has
not
been
scanned
adequately.
This
helps
the
doctors
make
the
necessary
corrections
chairside.
It
avoids
repetitive
work.
Customization
and
personalization
The
opportunity
to
create
specialized
medical
supplies
and
equipment
is
something
that
3D
printers
provide.
Custom-made
surgical
tools,
implants,
and
fixtures
can
reduce
operating
room
time,
speed
up
patient
recovery,
and
increase
the
likelihood
of
a
successful
surgical
procedure.
Enhanced
productivity
3D
printing
can
create
a
thing
in
a
few
hours.
As
a
result,
3D
printing
technology
is
far
quicker
than
conventional
ways
of
producing
goods
like
implants
and
prosthetics,
which
call
for
milling,
forging,
and
a
lengthy
delivery
period.
Better
cost
efficiency
3D
printing
can
also
cut
manufacturing
costs
by
reducing
the
use
of
superfluous
materials.
This
is
particularly
true
with
small-sized
conventional
implants
or
prostheses,
such
as
those
used
to
treat
dental,
craniofacial,
or
spinal
abnormalities.
The
price
of
creating
a
custom
3D
object
is
quite
low,
and
each
additional
item
is
equally
affordable.
Transparency
of
work
and
collaboration
The
nature
of
data
files
for
3D
printing
allows
data
exchange
among
scholars.
Researchers
can
obtain
downloadable
STL
files
that
are
available
in
open-source
databases
rather
than
attempting
to
replicate
complex
computer
settings.
They
can
precisely
share
designs
by
using
a
3D
printer
to
make
an
exact
reproduction
of
a
medical
model
or
gadget
anywhere
in
the
world!
Conclusion
3D
printing
in
healthcare
has
become
a
useful
and
potentially
ground-breaking
tool.
The
number
of
applications
has
risen
along
with
printer
speed,
resolution,
and
material
options.
Despite
the
enormous
and
exciting
benefits
of
3D
printing
in
healthcare,
some
of
the
most
novel
uses,
like
manufacturing
organs,
will
take
some
time
to
develop.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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