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Medical & Prosthetic
Across the world, 3D printing has been called upon to ease shortages of vital medical equipment such as personal protective equipment and ventilators caused by the Covid-19 outbreak — highlighting its value as an alternative to traditional manufacturing methods. Jamie Bell takes a look at five types of medical device that are already being produced using 3D printing.
What is 3D printing and how is it used in medical devices?
This application of “medical phantoms” — artificial substitutes for human subjects — is just one case study highlighting the role of 3D printing in producing medical equipment in recent years. The technology involves creating three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file by successively adding layers of material on top of one another — hence its additive manufacturing definition. Not only does it mean an array of medical device components can be produced on demand in a cost-effective way, but its flexibility allows for faster prototyping, more tailored, customised designs, and a wider choice of materials used in comparison with other production methods such as injection moulding.
3D Printed Medical Implants
3D printing allows for the creation of new kinds of geometries, such as trabecular lattices to encourage bone in-growth on a given implant. The technology offers not only the capability to create and test these geometries, but to prototype them using the intended manufacturing process and to do so quickly. When the right design is found, the implant can go into production right away. As Ryan Hanes, VP of business development at implant maker Amplify Additive says,with additive, “the prototype is the product.
3D Printed Scalpels
Scalpal Designed by 3DeeProto designed having Holder can easily handle for the blades.
THESE THINGS ARE SHARP, SHARP SHARP and they bite very quickly, SO USE EXTREME CAUTION when loading these blades, 3DeeProto accept NO RESPONSIBILITY for any injury’s.
To attach the blade, align the center oval slot of the blade with the holder and using your thumb nail apply slight pressure to the blunt end until it slips into the grove at the same time as making sure the sharp end is in the front tip groove.
To remove the blade, simply apply a little pressure to the underside of the blade by the oval locating hole and it will pop off.
If you need to apply any pressure at the sharp end of the blade use a block of wood and keep your fingers away.
These things are great for opening boxes, cutting string etc, etc. just store them in a place where children cannot get at them and where they remain safe.
Surgical Fasteners
The medical industry―with its need for customizable, biocompatible and sterilizable plastic and metal components―is one of the most promising fields for 3D printing applications. It may sound like science fiction, but many types of medicine are already benefiting from additive manufacturing, with more applications being developed year after year.
Every day, 3D printing provides patients with affordable custom prostheses, implants, and devices; it enables doctors to perform their jobs more effectively with custom tools and models; and it helps medical device companies develop better products, faster.
Some researchers are even working on technologies to 3D print living tissue and organs! Keep reading to learn why 3D printing is such an effective tool for the medical industry and some of the ways it is helping medical professionals provide better care at less cost. For a general overview of 3D printing,