How 3D Printing enriches Medicine

Table of contents

1. Areas of application of 3D printers in medicine
2. Medical devices: prototypes from the 3-D printer
3. Customized implants and prosthetics from the 3-D printer
4. Surgical preparation: models from the 3D printer
5. Potentials of 3D printing in the future
6. 3-D printing as an enrichment for medicine

Areas of application of 3D printers in medicine

Personalized precision medicine – a trend that just depends on innovative technologies and tools. The advancement of 3D printing technology for medicine has revealed some groundbreaking possibilities in this field. In addition to the precise individualization of treatments, 3-D printing of medical tools and anatomical models opens up unimagined opportunities for the activities of medical professionals.

We take a closer look at the individual areas of application of the 3-D printer in medicine – and summarize the most important info.

Medical devices: prototypes from the 3-D printer

In the fabrication of medical devices, the 3-D printer is being used precisely in the production of prototypes. More than 90 percent of medical device manufacturers are already taking advantage of this technology for this purpose. The printers impress with their comparatively low costs and their user-friendliness. In addition, the design process is significantly accelerated by in-house 3-D printers.

Medical instruments from the 3-D printer

One major advantage of manufacturing customized instruments through 3-D printing is that additive manufacturing can quickly and cost-effectively produce customized tools for specific medical requirements.

This is made possible by new, biocompatible 3-D printing materials. In addition to sterilizable instrument cassettes and models for implant sizing, these include tools with complex shapes and geometries used in minimally invasive procedures, for example. Instruments with such complex geometries can hardly be produced using conventional manufacturing processes – and if they can, then only with a great deal of effort.

The 3D printer also offers humanitarian potential in this area: instruments can be manufactured even in countries where the supply of medical tools is difficult.

Customized implants and prosthetics from the 3-D printer

Another area of application for the 3-D printer in medicine: the production of patient-specific implants and prostheses. These can be tailored precisely to the body structure of the respective patient. Knee or hip joints are thus custom-made with the help of 3-D printers. This can significantly improve the accuracy of implantation. Moreover, the manufacturing costs of customized prostheses can be significantly reduced.

Surgical preparation: models from the 3D printer

Why are anatomical models crucial not only for the training of future physicians, but especially in surgery planning and preparation? The answer: Preoperative models can significantly shorten the operating time for routine procedures. For more complex operations, this also means less risk. This is because the vivid models enable doctors to prepare for the operation in detail – complications can thus be counteracted. The results: reduced operating time, lower costs and greater patient satisfaction.

The anatomy models are created from the patients’ CT or MRI scan data. In many hospitals, working with such anatomical models is already part of daily business.

Another benefit: Anatomical models from the 3D printer enable medical students to gain hands-on experience without having to involve real patients.

Potentials of 3D printing in the future

The potential of 3-D printing in the medical field is far from exploited. In the future, 3-D printers may even be able to print human organs and tissue to facilitate transplants and other treatments. This is conceivable through so-called tissue engineering, which will be used to grow replacement organs and tissues in the laboratory. This technology could also be used in the development of new drugs and therapies: It could therefore soon be possible to test the effect of drugs using artificial tissues.

3-D printing as an enrichment for medicine

Overall, 3D printing offers many far-reaching opportunities in the medical field. Here, the innovative technology not only enables the precise and effective production of medical instruments tailored to specific requirements. Implants and anatomical models from the 3-D printer also represent enormous potential for doctors and surgeons, as well as for trainees in the medical field. We can look forward to seeing how the role of the 3-D printer in medicine develops – especially with regard to innovative procedures such as the production of artificial tissue. Where will this technology go from here? Whatever applications 3-D printing will bring to the medical field – we will keep you up to date.

Devices and measurement technology for medicine

In Bürklin Elektronik’s online store you will find numerous products manufactured for the environment in laboratories, operating rooms and hospitals. Among them measuring devices, but also medical device testers, medical isolating transformers, medical connectors and much more. If you have any questions or requests regarding our products, our experts are always at your disposal! Contact one of our Bürklin Elektronik employees right away!