Biomedical Applications of Metal Additive Manufacturing: Current State-of-the-Art and Future Perspective

Abstract

Recent developments in Additive Manufacturing (AM) have provided unprecedented opportunities for emerging metal implant technologies. These technologies can combine unique architectures tailored to patient-specific needs, and potentially absorbable properties that could aid in the healing process. Advanced imaging techniques enable the reconstruction of the affected regions and the design of the implant, while AM can be used to print the patient-specific implant. Metallic metamaterials have been fabricated based on designed lattice structures with precisely controlled porous structures having specific functional and mechanical properties for the desired application. This review summarizes the current state-of-the-art and future opportunities for metal AM in biomedical applications.