3D printing is a boon of a new technological advancement. It is a method in which products are designed, carved, ground, and molded to produce a real-life object.

But what is 3D printing in the healthcare sector?

3d printing in healthcare is working like magic, any tool that used to take months to be created through traditional manufacturing processes has now become more quicker. You can now produce customized implants, surgical tools, dental devices, and even fully functioning organs. The precision and detailing that can be achieved by a 3D printer, is not possible for the human eye and hand.

It is right that 3D printing has changed the healthcare sector?

3D printing has facilitated healthcare professionals and researchers to create bioprinting, tissue engineering, and printing 3D organs. The traditional method of treating a patient with organ failure is an organ transplant, which is the most commonly used method. But, organ donors are not common, there is a huge gap between the demand and supply of organ donors. This gap can be successfully bridged by 3D printing.

Recently, Jordan Miller, the Assistant Professor of bioengineering at Rice’s Brown School of Engineering, and his team have successfully replicated a fully functioning human lung. The project is really promising and is expected to change the scenario of organ demand.

So, does that mean that 3D printed organs have been used? 

Well, the research and trials are going everywhere in the world to bridge the gap between organ requirement and organ donors. But it is still futuristic to finish that gap completely. Nonetheless, 3D is still being used in the medical field.

Let’s understand how 3D printing is used in medicine?

Printing Surgical Tools:

3D printing has facilitated the creation of customized and accurate surgical instruments like forceps, hemostats, scalpel handles, clamps, etc. The process of creating these tools manually is time-consuming and requires precision. 3D printing helps save time and provides better support to the surgeon.

Orthopedic Implants:

We all know at least one person who is going through a joint pain, right? 3D printing can produce customized, accurate, longer-lasting, and better-performing orthopedic implants. Using a 3D printed orthopedic implant for surgically replacing a missing joint or bone can facilitate a faster integration between a living bone and the artificial implant. It provides a wide range of implants for the hip, knee, spinal, skull, etc. By 2027, the number of 3D orthopedic implants is estimated to reach four million.

Dental Devices:

3D printing is predicted to create a great impact on the dental sector. The production of dental restorations and devices requires customization and great precision, which is perfected by 3D printing. Clear aligners, the invisible teeth straightening devices are the best product created by 3D printing. 3D printing technology is expected to become the leading production method of dental restorations and devices by 2027.

Practical & Experiential Learning:

3D printing can be excessively used for preparing the next generation of medical professionals. There’s a lot of theoretical studies that go into medicine, but how can 3D printing be used in the study of medical sciences?

Practitioners use data, scans, reports, case studies, and visualization to understand human anatomy, but with 3D printing, it can be done practically. Even professionals can communicate complex procedures to patients, families, and practitioners.

3D Printing for Reconstruction of Tissues:

The process of reconstruction of tissues using 3D printing is also called bio-printing. Scientists have successfully used bio-materials to replicate body parts and organs where they can produce scaffolds of tissues to replace or repair damaged tissues. A completely damaged bladder on ed-stage can be treated by creating layers of tissues with 3D printing. It can be used for skin, bone, muscle tissue, etc.

The key is to understand the 3D printing process and select the right 3D printer.

3D printing is time-saving, cost-effective, accurate, and patient-specific. professionals around the globe are trying to use this technology to the fullest to save as many as lives possible.

Undoubtedly, it comes with its challenges, the regulatory bodies are working towards standardizing its design, manufacturing, and testing.

Although, the medical industry is known for its miracles.