4 Uses for 3D Printing in Healthcare

Since its conception 30 years ago, photopolymerization-based 3D printing in healthcare has become a game changer. While dental implants were among the first medical applications, nowadays’ use cases include medical devices, implants, prosthetics, and even drug delivery systems. This article gives you an overview of the capabilities of 3D printing in healthcare.

3D printing and its common applications

3D printing, also called additive manufacturing (AM), describes all processes, in which digital files are used to create three-dimensional, solid objects. There are 7 types of AM technologies that use different processing techniques and require different raw materials for 3D printing.

3D printing in construction is already used by many industries, including car and computer manufacturers and even construction companies. 3D printing processes can be used for a wide range of applications, including prototyping, food as well as medical and industrial applications.

Benefits of 3D printing in healthcare and medicine

The benefits of photopolymerization are remarkable, especially when it comes to medical applications. Some of the benefits of 3D printing in healthcare include:

Accuracy and precision

Medical applications such as dental implants require high accuracy, fine details, and smooth finishes to create objects such as surgical learning tools, facial prosthetics, or hearing aids.

Complexity and customization

3D printing is a technology that enables a custom-made production that fits the needs of the individual. For instance, the process is already able to produce accurate dental implants, which differ in size and shape.

Time and cost savings

Depending on the application, companies may only spend a fraction of the time and costs they would spend on conventional processes.

Photopolymer materials used in 3D printing for healthcare

Photopolymers can consist of monomers, oligomers, polymers or a mixture of these materials. They can easily change their chemical structure once they are exposed to only small amounts of light energy. The materials used in vat photopolymerization consist of multiple properties, which can range from castable, transparent, flexible to tough ones.

Materials used for dental composites include EPOXY METHACRYLATE 97-053, GENOCURE* CQ as well as multiple variants of GENOMER. Depending on the process and product, customised speciality chemicals may be needed to achieve the desired results.

3D printing in healthcare: teeth model

Common applications of 3D printing in healthcare

From advanced drug delivery to bioprinting, photopolymerization-based 3D printing in healthcare has a wide range of applications.

The use of photopolymers for advanced drug delivery

3D printing in medicine is able to produce results with a high resolution and customisation. It opens the door to delivering advanced drug delivery devices through customization instead of mass production. As a result, the term “personalised medicine (PM)” has gained traction in recent years.

The use of photopolymers for medical devices

3D printing in healthcare enables companies to make changes to current designs without setting up expensive tools or equipment. As a result, companies are able to produce drug dosages with complex geometries and compositions, as well as oral delivery systems or drug delivery devices.

Implants and prosthetics

3D printing in healthcare has come a long way and is able to produce patient-specific devices and complex structures. This is especially important for custom implants and prosthetics, which would be expensive to produce with traditional manufacturing methods.

Bioprinting and tissue engineering

Another useful application for 3D printing in healthcare is the manufacturing of complex biological constructs while controlling the smallest details, such as pore size. Potential applications may also treat illnesses such as cancer, tissue loss, or organ failure.

The impact of 3D printing in healthcare

In recent years, 3D printing in medicine has become a powerful tool that enables companies of all branches to drastically reduce costs and time to market, from lab equipment, implants, prosthetics to even bioprinting and tissue engineering. The impact of 3D printing in healthcare can already be seen today.

Compared to traditional manufacturing techniques, 3D printing in healthcare has the potential to decentralise the manufacturing of medical products, which are tailored to individual patients.

One of the biggest changes that we can already observe today is a shift from prototyping to high-quality manufacturing. This means printed products need all important properties of traditional manufacturing processes, which in turn depend to a large extent on the 3D printing resins to satisfy rising market demands.

Conclusion

High-quality, innovative products depend on reliable raw materials. With a rising demand for tailor-made medicine and healthcare, manufacturers can’t rely anymore on conventional processes, which are expensive and time-consuming. This is where applications for 3D printing in healthcare come in.

RAHN is your reliable supply partner of raw materials for 3D printing resins and for the development of high-performance 3D photopolymers, which enable you to achieve your goals and to create a measurable impact for your business.