By solving problems associated with organ transplants, dental implants, and more, 3D Printing has earned trust. The medical industry believes that this technology can create a revolution if properly directed.
The fact that the possibilities through 3D Printing are immense and this doesn't seem to end anywhere, the technology has been welcomed by scientists and researchers all over the world.
Benefits of 3D Printing in the Health Sector
Here are some of the most innovative health benefits of 3D printing that have made medical science grow rapidly:
1. Bioprinting Veins
Research to discover the possibilities of 3D Printing into medical science has resulted in bioprinting technology. Now, it is possible to print tissue that can carry a blood supply.
Although artificial tissue is not something new, but the entry of blood vessels again makes fresh news. A materials scientist, and his team have designed a custom-built 3D printer. Their research also concluded that the soluble ink can create tissues containing biological structural materials that intertwine with skin cells. It is believed to work as a potential blood vessel.
There has been tremendous progress in printing models using scans of animal hearts. This model is used to wrap stretchable electronics. Research shows that silicone devices can be opened from models printed using animal heart scans and can fit snugly into human hearts.
Until now, electronic sensors have been able to detect heart tension, detect oxygenation, and temperature. And, further research is underway to further improvise the electronics with multiple sensors. Which can measure acidic conditions, thus, can detect blocked arteries. This is one of the most important benefits of 3D Printing in the health sector.
2. Special Prosthetic Parts
Those who cannot afford prosthetics made by traditional methods can now have prosthetics. With 3D Printing, the manufacture of prosthetics with pinpoint accuracy is possible. That too at a lower cost. Many companies and organizations across the continent are funding these causes. This is one of the most important benefits of 3D Printing in the health sector.
3. Printing Medicine
Although this research is young and has not been widely used, several examples have been established. For example, Louisiana Technical University researchers have been able to print a device that is both biodegradable and biocompatible. It is able to provide bone cancer drugs.
The ability of a prototype 3D printer to assemble chemical compounds at the molecular level. The chemist wants to realize a solution where patients can buy the blueprints and chemical ink needed to print drugs at home based on digital prescriptions. This is one of the most important benefits of 3D Printing in the health sector.
4. Printed Heart Valve with Double Syringe Machine
Aortic valve disease (AVD) is a disease that causes congenital heart valve defects. This defect is especially dangerous when diagnosed with a newborn. This can be solved by replacing the faulty valve.
For adults, prosthetic valves have been able to overcome this problem. However, these prosthetic devices are not sufficient to treat younger adults as well as children. The good news is that research into AVD treatment is ongoing. Additive manufacturing technology, also known as 3-D printing, has been rovization to create 3-D structures with the help of living tissue.
This structure is very precise and can be realized through 3D bioprinting. Cornell University researchers have succeeded in creating a live heart valve that mimics the anatomical architecture of the original valve. This is one of the most important benefits of 3D Printing in the health sector.
5. Research Model
Medical models for research are very important for conducting tests and for drawing conclusions. There are many examples where 3D Printing has helped reach such conclusions through successful testing on models printed by 3D printers.
Among various 3D printed medical applications, this one can help create history by targeting diseases we have not been able to beat until now. One example is a molded model of a cancerous tumor that has been created to aid in the discovery of new anti-cancer drugs.
3D Printing is capable of creating patient-specific models from data collected from MRI and CT scans. These models are highly specific and accurate and hence, can be applied to practical applications. This can increase the success rate of complicated operations. At the same time, it reduces the time required to complete the operation.
3D Printing helps show the unique individual anatomy for each congenital heart disease. This leads to a better assessment of procedures and operations, thereby minimizing the possibility of errors. This is one of the most important benefits of 3D Printing in the health sector.
6. Printing Bones
Research conducted by a team of researchers at Washington State University printed bone-like materials and structures with the help of a 3D printer for use in orthopedic procedures. These structures can also be used to treat osteoporosis.
The researchers showed that the structure, when paired with actual bone, could act as a scaffold. This will help the growth of new bone. Eventually it will dissolve without causing any side effects to the patient.
Scaffolds can be printed according to CAD files created by defect scanning to treat each patient according to their individual needs. This is one of the most important benefits of 3D Printing in the health sector.
3D Printing Medical Application for Treating Burn Patients
A professor from the Institute of Regenerative Medicine has developed a 3D printer that can deposit layer upon layer of skin directly onto a burn victim.
The printer will first scan the severity of the wound to assess the number of layers of skin needed to cover the same wound. Eventually, it will be able to create an appropriate number of layers of skin to cover the wound.
The scanner attached to the 3D printer is designed to scan the depth and area of the wound. The machine can then convert the scan into a 3D printable file. This file will assess the number of layers required for each particular cut. Research has proven in pigs by printing a sheet of skin measuring 10 cm. This is one of the most important benefits of 3D Printing in the health sector.
1. Ear Cartilage Printing
With progress, many things become possible. Think of using a 3D photo to print a human ear to create an ear print.These earmuffs are filled with bovine cartilage cells suspended in collagen. This collagen helps hold the shape of the ear. At the same time, the cells continue to develop into their extracellular matrix.
Research has been continued for 3D printing of intervertebral discs. These discs are very useful for treating spinal complications. This is one of the most important benefits of 3D Printing in the health sector.
2. Medical Equipment
Nonprofits have used 3D Printing to help areas and countries that are short of medical supplies due to the high price tag. The organization uses 3D Printing to make equipment for medical assistance.
By benefiting local clinics who cannot afford expensive medical equipment, the project has attracted global attention. This is one of the most important benefits of 3D Printing in the health sector.
3. Organ Transplant
Organ transplantation is a very important surgical process. Most importantly, the waiting time to receive an organ in a donation is increasing at a rapid rate which creates an emotional imbalance among the patients.
Many have lost hope of finding donors with suitable organs. Although there seems to be no solution to the problem, 3D Printing has spurred a seed of hope among researchers.
Although the research journey at the operational level is still long and able to print organs such as the liver, heart, and kidneys, the team is very positive about the current success. This is one of the most important benefits of 3D Printing in the health sector.
Since 3D Printing has been able to make such a huge contribution to the medical field, expectations are increasing. Scientists and organizations want to get the most out of technology and that is reflected through their efforts.
With 3D Printing, one can realize great and proven success through the 3D Printing medical applications that have been used. 3D Printing medical applications can help humans fight deadly diseases.