Medical 3D printing and its varieties

The medical 3D printer has taken on a whole new meaning in recent years due to the rapid development of 3D technology. Now it is a versatile production tool that can be used to perform a wide range of diverse tasks. For example, 3D printing in medicine is actively used for:

Creation of living tissues and organs;
Printing of bones;
Creation of blood vessels;
Manufacturing of biocompatible prostheses;
Creation of individual implants;
Production of unique surgical instruments;
Designing and creating assistive devices and much more.

Of course, these are not the only areas in which 3D printer for medicine is actively used. But these are the areas in which medical organizations worldwide are moving. In many large hospitals and laboratories, 3D printing has already become a very common practice. Professional equipment is purchased en masse for such organizations, but in this section we want to talk more about why you need a desktop 3D printer for medicine.

How a 3D printer for medicine is used
When it comes to the use of 3D technology for medical purposes, many people immediately think of 3D printing of organs and other revolutionary projects. But don’t forget that even ordinary FDM and SLA 3D printers can be of great service to Hippocrates’ followers. Here, in what areas they are useful:

Dentistry. The most common medical industry in which 3D printers are used en masse. Many photopolymer resins and SLA 3D printing devices are even adapted to the needs of dentists. Today, even full-fledged dental instruments and implants can be created using this technique;

Implant manufacturing. Here we are talking about surgical implants, including metal implants. Of course, making a biocompatible titanium implant will require a professional medical 3D printer, but prototypes and master models are made with desktop 3D printing devices;

Custom medical models. Such models are needed for quality medical planning and are most often created from CT scan data. With their help, it is possible to distribute all the stages of treatment quickly and correctly, without disturbing the patient. Roughly speaking, the doctor can perform the operation without surgery;

Orthopedic braces. A very common way to use 3D printers, which requires 3D scanning. Thus, the output is an individual orthopedic corset, which fully corresponds to all anatomical features of the patient.

Creation of training models. A 3D printer for medicine would also be a great companion for medical students and trainees who need to thoroughly study human anatomy. 3D printing is an economical and efficient way to reproduce anatomical models.

Of course, we can not say that every doctor or hospital needs a 3D printer for medicine, but its benefit to this industry is difficult to deny. For example, SLA 3D printing is gradually gaining popularity in the circles of dentists due to its accuracy and convenience.