The role of three-dimensional printing in healthcare and medicine

Abstract

Different three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques are being increasingly used to produce medical apparatus due to their ability to print intended designs with high dimensional accuracy. Indeed, the major credit for the broad use of 3D printing techniques in medical fields stems from the ability of this method to prepare patient-matched devices due to the conventional manufacturing methods limitations such as economically inefficiency and multiple steps processing for complex geometries. This review manuscript aims to present brief insights of various 3D printing concepts and technologies used in the medical field. Biomaterials and bioprinting are pinpointed. Finally, the pharmaceutical potentials of 3D printing are discussed.

Keywords

• Three-dimensional (3D) printing
• Additive manufacturing (AM)
• Bioprinting
• Healthcare