Few industries are as crucial as the medical sector. Medications, implants, diagnostic devices, and more make up the life-changing products coming out of the medical industry. To create these tools and treat patients as successfully as possible, medical professionals need cutting-edge technology on their side. That’s why 3D printing has become an invaluable tool in the healthcare sector. Explore some of the most amazing uses of 3D printing in the medical field with this guide.
Affordable, Customized Prostheses
Complex, fully functional, and customized prostheses can be incredibly expensive, making them inaccessible for many patients who need them. In many cases, patients have to settle for simple or ill-fitting prostheses. Additionally, kids who need prosthetic implants quickly outgrow their prostheses, which means their families must continuously pay for new devices. With 3D printing, industry specialists and independent initiatives alike can make prostheses in less time for less money. Even custom prosthetic implants become affordable, regardless of the patients’ background or insurance level.
Rapid Prototyping of New Diagnostic Devices
Medical device developers need precise and efficient tools to turn new concepts into useful products. Medical devices often incorporate minute, sophisticated technology, such as sensors or microfluidic cartridges, which means detail is everything. Designing and creating medical diagnostic devices is a long and complex process that requires a lot of designing, testing, and redesigning. As such, developers rely on 3D printing to make rapid prototyping easier and more affordable than ever. 3D printing allows developers to create accurate and detailed prototypes quickly. This streamlines the testing process and helps crucial devices reach the market faster.
Bone Replacements, Bioprinting, and Beyond
Some of the most amazing uses of 3D printing in the medical field are improving routine and complex surgeries alike. Knee and hip replacements, breast reconstruction surgeries, and even 3D organ replacements are changing patients’ lives across the world. Like with prostheses, 3D printed bone replacements allow surgeons to give their patients custom implants that perfectly suit their bodies. Even more impressive, medical professionals are making advancements in 3D bioprinting, which prints with living cells to create artificial living tissue. Bioprinting provides remarkable opportunities for research, but scientists aim to further the technology with advancements like patient-specific graft designs, ready-to-implant blood vessels, and more.
