Among the myriad applications of 3D Printing, perhaps one of the most impactful is its integration into the medical domain. Utilizing 3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering, medical professionals leverage this technology for research, patient consultation, educational purposes, and surgical interventions.
Medical 3D Printing finds extensive use in dentistry, prosthetics, organ printing (bioprinting), and the creation of medical equipment and anatomical models. The expansion of 3D printing technology in healthcare is evident from the projected growth forecasted in the 3D Printing Healthcare Market Outlook – 2026 report. The market is estimated to reach approximately $3.692 billion by 2026, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 18% from 2018 to 2026.
Exploring a Niche: 3D Printing of Organs
In the vast landscape of medical 3D printing, a highly specialized segment involves the printing of organ models. Just as industrial prototypes, automobile parts and everyday utilities are crafted from scanned objects or a software file, 3D printers can create medical prototypes from X-Rays, CT Scans and MRIs. Prototyping can serve as an invaluable tool in healthcare.
How Does Organ Printing Work?
An X-Ray, CT Scan and MRI files are usually stored in a format called DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine). Medical imaging files, stored in DICOM format, are converted into files readable by 3D printers, typically STL or OBJ formats. Advanced 3D printers can fabricate organs in either segmented or singular forms, depending on the complexity of the organ and the printer’s capabilities.
Revolutionizing Medicine
The reverse engineering of human organs offers profound benefits across various medical disciplines.
Let us take an example of dentistry. A dentist whose patient is undergoing intense pain due to tooth decay or root canal can simply use 3D scanning and print new teeth, crowns and veneers in a matter of hours. Reverse engineering likewise, not only makes for customized dental solutions but acts as an effective remedy for faster treatment and pain redressal.
In surgical procedures that are complex and require expertise from different medical professionals at the same time, 3D-printed organ models facilitate pre-surgical planning, enhancing surgical precision and potentially improving patient outcomes.
Moreover, the use of organ models eliminates the need for surgical tests on animals, aligning with ethical medical practices and demonstrating sensitivity toward animal welfare.
Case Studies Highlighting Medical Breakthroughs
In Norway, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Appearance Printing European Advanced Research School (ApPEARS), pioneers the printing of organ simulators for surgical training, enhancing medical staff’s proficiency.
Frontiers of Physiology, a leading journal, published a notable surgical achievement involving 3D printing occurred when conjoined twins were successfully separated. By printing anatomical parts from CT scan images, surgeons gained invaluable insights into the surgical procedure, resulting in a 30% reduction in surgery duration and the subsequent thriving of the separated twins.
Conclusion
The realm of medical 3D printing continues to push the boundaries of innovation. With advancements in bioprinting, the creation of artificial models and even real human organs for transplantation purposes is becoming a reality. As Bob Richards aptly stated, “Ingenuity, plus courage, plus work, equals miracles.” Indeed, medical 3D printing holds the promise of transformative advancements in healthcare that were once unimaginable. Wouldn’t you agree?
