Three- d imensional printing (3D printing) refers to the computer controlled process of laying successive layers of material in order make a physical object from a three-dimensional model, usually from a computer-aided design (Ventola, 2014) . In the process, a digital file is first created from the computer-aided design model and fed to a 3D printer which interprets it and prints the physical object . The object is made using various materials such as plastics, photopolymers, ceramics, metals and even living cells. Thus, i t is possible to create a 3D physical object of any geometry and shape which can be designed using computer-aided modeling. The convenience of 3D printing has led to its adoption in a wide variety of fields , among them being in the medical field. This paper will thus explore the medical applications of 3D printing.
3D printing and m anufacture of customized prosthetics, anatomical models, and implants
I n medicine , 3 D printing is applied in the manufacture of customized prosthetics, anatomical models, and implants. A Prosthetic is a n artificial replacement for a body part that is compatible with human bodies. By use of 3D printing, fabrication of prostheses and implants of entire limbs, bones, dental structures, spine, and the skeleton has been made possible . Use of 3D printing technology in medicine has made the manufacture of both standard and complex tailor-made implants and prostheses practicable in the bound of a small time-frame. This capability to expeditiously produce customiz ed prostheses and implants has solved a major problem especially in the branch of orthopedics . This branch is characterized by the shortage of both standard and complex implants.
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This technology is also applicable in neurosurgery where standardization of cranial implants is impractical since skulls are irregularly shaped and sized. However, t he use of 3D printing in brain surgery has made it possible to create customized perfect fitting plates to replace extracted bone sections. A nother application of 3D printing in the fabrication of implants and prostheses is in the manufacture of hearing aids for patients with hearing difficulties. T he diversity in shape and sizes of patients’ ear canal s has necessitated the synthesis of custom-made hearing aids . This has been made possible by 3D printing. Subsequently, the s upply of hearing aids has been accelerated by this development. Likewise, the aids have been made more patient-oriented.
3D printing in dentistry
The a pplications of 3D printing in dentistry have risen in recent past. Initially, the technology was used for rapid tooling and prototyping . However, today it is heavily u sed in combination with computer - aided design and modeling and oral scanning to rapidly and accurately fabricate braces, crowns, plaster models, bridges, surgical guides and aligners and other orthodontic appliances (Ventola, 2014) .
3D printing in tissue and organ bioprinting
In the medical domain, 3D printing has been adopted extensively in tissue and organ bioprinting . Tissue or organ failure can arise from diseases, congenital disabilities or due to aging . Presently , organ failure primarily addressed through o rgan transplant s. This approach has faced the challenge s of persistent donor shortage, donor type miss-match a s well as the prohibitive cost of organ transplant surgery. For instance , in 2009, only about 18% of the patients in need of an organ transplant in the United States successfully went through the operation ( Cui X et al., 2009). 3D bioprinting solves this problem since it is efficient than conventional tissue regenerative and engineering which is currently being pursued as a possible solution to the shortage of organ donors. 3D organ printing has the advantage of being able to carry out the exact placement of cells, control of cell concentration and accurate control of layout speed . Also, it offers high resolution and precision in the diameter and volume of printed cells. 3D printing of tissues and organs is also advantageous in that is avails a wide variety of materials for building the cells for a particular tissue type, flexibility, and strength.
3D printing and anatomical models for surgical planning
3D printing is also curr ently being used in medicine to develop anatomical models for surgical planning. Due to complexity and variances of the human body, a patient’s physical model is made . Subsequently, this helps a doctor to study and simulate an operation which is preferable to solely relying on computed tomography scans and m agnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which are not detailed owing to their 2D display. A n example , in this case, is the use of 3D neuroanatomical models . These are inherently useful to neurosurgeons as they provide a detailed representation of the most complex structures in the human body. T herefore, a surgeon can evaluate the safest approach when performing surgery on delicate body parts like the brain and spine. Through the use of virtual surgery planning, fatalities that occur during operation have reduced . As a result, the u se of 3D printed models to prepare for medical operations has increased.
3D printing in research and manufacture of drugs
3D printing is playing a significant role in the pharmaceutic al industry, particularly in the research and manufacture of custom drugs and other devices used for drug delivery. Some of its core advantages include ; precision in the control of drug quantities during manufacture, the ability for mass production, porosity regulation, texture modification and ability to produce drugs that are characterized by complex drug-release profiles. Printing of non-standard drugs especially those targeted for children and the elderly has been made achievable via the 3D dimensional printing.
3D printing and education
3D printed models are also useful in teaching due to its ability to provid e sufficient materials for medical education . This is because these models are of materials that last for a long time without the need of replacement as is common with biological specimens. Such models have thus found use in various workshops and areas of medicine.
In conclusion , d rawing from the above-discussed applications of 3D printing in the medical field , it is clear that the technology has revolutionized many aspects of medicine . As a result, it is playing a pivotal role in the provision of better and more affordable health care. Thus, 3D printing application in medicine is bound to grow in t he future as new technological advancements take effect.
References
Cui, X., Boland, T., D D'Lima, D., & K Lotz, M. (2012). Thermal inkjet printing in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Recent patents on drug delivery & formulation , 6 (2), 149-155.
Ventola, C. L. (2014). Medical applications for 3D printing: current and projected uses. Pharmacy and Therapeutics , 39 (10), 704.
