Printing Hope: The Future of 3D Printing in Healthcare

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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: the application

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 tha 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 of 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 color. 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!

Takeaway

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.