Three-Dimensional Printing in Medicine: Promise and Challenge

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a producing technique by which objects are created by depositing materials such as powders, plastic, liquids, metal, ceramics or even living cells in layers to provide a 3D object. Medical applications for 3D printing are increasing quickly and are expected to revolutionize health care. The current medical applications of 3D printing can be categorized into a number of categories: creating implants, tissue and organ fabrication; prosthetics, and pharmaceutical research concerning drug discovery and anatomical models. The usage of 3D printing in medicine industry will offer several benefits, such as: the personalization and customization of medical product, drugs, and equipment; cost-effectiveness; and enhanced productivity. But, it should be cautioned that despite recent important and exciting medical advances of 3D printing, notable scientific and regulatory challenges stay and the most transformative applications for this technology, like organ printing, can take time to evolve.