It is possible to 3D print plastic parts of the equipment. This dramatically reduces costs and the waiting time to receive a new medical device from third-party providers. In addition, the manufacturing process and other applications are also easier. The biggest advantage that 3D printers offer in medical applications is the freedom to produce tailor-made medical products and equipment.
3 For example, the use of 3D printing to customize prostheses and implants can offer great value for money to both patients and doctors. 3 In addition, 3D printing can produce custom-made templates and accessories for use in operating rooms, 4 Custom-made implants, accessories and surgical tools can have a positive impact in terms of the time required for surgery, the patient's recovery time and the success of surgery or implantation, 4 It is also expected that 3D printing technologies will eventually make it possible to customize dosage forms, release profiles and drug delivery for each patient. Recent advances in 3D printing in healthcare have led to lighter, stronger and safer products, reducing delivery times and costs. Custom pieces can be adapted to each individual.
This improves the understanding of patients by medical professionals and improves the level of comfort of patients by allowing them to interact with products specially designed for their anatomy. Later, Hull founded the company 3D Systems, which developed the first 3D printer, called a “stereolithography device”. And while questions still remain about how common 3D printing will be in healthcare, the reimbursement policies applicable to these products, and much more, these are some of the main ways in which hospitals and health systems are benefiting from existing technology and how 3D printing could transform clinical care in the future. Meanwhile, the FDA has approved hundreds of medical products manufactured with 3D technology, according to Pew Trust.
However, 3D printing technology is still relatively new and has only recently been adopted in the medical device manufacturing sector, meaning that manufacturers are still adapting to some remaining difficulties. Some medical device companies are already using 3D printing to rapidly develop and test drug delivery devices, such as inhalers and injectors. In other research on drug release profiles, chlorpheniramine maleate was 3D printed on a powdered cellulose substrate in quantities as small as 10 to 12 moles to show that even a small amount of drug could be released at a specific time. The NIH 3D Print Exchange is a free online resource for sharing medical and scientific 3D printing files and tutorials.
The biggest advantage that 3D printers offer in medical applications is the freedom to produce customized medical products and equipment.
