3D Printing Technology in the Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications: A Critical Review

Abstract

The 3D (3-dimensional) printing is an emerging technology for several medical applications such as bone scaffolds, surgery, organ printing, drug delivery, in vitro tissues modelling and pharmaceutical in the healthcare sectors. In this review, extensively contribution for growth of emerging latest technologies as well as design and development of different equipment’s in 3D printing models and future possibilities are summarised. After the approval of first 3D-printed tablet Spritam in 2015 by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the 3D Printing technique by using computer-aided designs (CAD) with other recent software tools has become the potential candidature for the fabrications of devices and manufacturing of various dosages for drugs delivery system, organ printing, surgical tools, etc. The layer by layer fabrication technique of 3D printing provide production of more accurate, complex composition and geometries with more efficacy along with enhanced protection in medical sectors. The 3DP technology may be used in the numerous surgical applications due to the promising and fabulous properties in the different surgeries such as spinal, hip and pelvic surgery, knee surgery, foot and ankle surgery and various surgeries involving the upper extremities. The various benefits related to clinical sectors with economic factors with some specialized and administrative challenges are covered in this review article. Moreover, the limitations and future prospectus, advantages and disadvantages of 3D printing are also highlighted in this review article. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)