3D Printing Technology for Biomedical Practice: A Review

Abstract

3D printing or additive manufacturing is an emerging technique for the fabrications of biomedical components. Several researchers are working on fabrications of the biomedical components, future prospective of implantation, and transplantation aspects. The current review presents a meticulous summary of research work done so far by the researchers in the view of design and fabrications about biomedical components by using 3D printing technology such as fused deposition modeling (FDM), inkjet printing, stereolithography, and selective laser sintering (SLS). The design and fabrications of biomedical components include 3D printing of bone, low-cost high-quality prosthetics, intervertebral disks, medical equipment, heart valve, building tissues using blood vessels and drugs. The objective of this review article is to explore different additive manufacturing processes, challenges, and future developments for 3D printing for biomedical components.

A Review of Polymer-Based Materials for Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF): Focus on Sustainability and Recycled Materials

“…Other applications of FFF relate to the biomedical industry [ 50 , 125 ]. Biomedicine is the field in which the potential of 3D printers has so far developed with extreme effectiveness.…”

“…For example, FFF is used to produce surgical instruments, which are commonly made of steel. With the technical FFF it is possible to use materials such as ABS, PLA, PA, also with reinforced matrix, for printing sterilized medical devices [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 125 , 126 ]. Some researchers have developed a new method for 3D printing of living skin using built-blood vessels [ 125 ].…”

“…With the technical FFF it is possible to use materials such as ABS, PLA, PA, also with reinforced matrix, for printing sterilized medical devices [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 125 , 126 ]. Some researchers have developed a new method for 3D printing of living skin using built-blood vessels [ 125 ]. Furthermore, the customization of geometries and the use of biocompatible materials has led to the production of prostheses and implants [ 50 ].…”

“…FFF technology can provide a higher reproducible control of the size and distribution of pores required for tissue engineering applications and can provide a considerable variety of biodegradability and functionalized materials [ 50 ]. A recent development in 3D printing technology in tissue engineering concerns the development of new bio-inks (using collagen, gelatin or hyaluronic acid); this has made it possible to bioprint complex tissue structures [ 125 ]. 3D printing is also used for the fabrication and reconstruction of anatomical parts such as bones, vertebrae and spinal implants, prostheses, skin, organs, etc.…”

“…In recent years, the use of 3D printing in the cardiovascular biomedical sector, especially in congenital heart disease, has increased dramatically. It is thus possible to reconstruct the heart, valves, and other anatomical parts of the patient by perfectly studying the complex cardiovascular situation [ 125 ].…”