Trends and innovations in biomedical 3D printing

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We are in the midst of a 3D printing revolution. Once reserved for large research universities and multinational companies, 3D printing technology has become widely available, with 2.2 million 3D printers being marketed in 2021. This number is expected to increase to 21.5 million by 2030; this rapid prototyping technology will then become accessible to everyone.

All major sectors of activity, from aerospace to construction , use 3D printing technology which allows rapid and economical manufacturing. Of all the sectors that have embraced the power of 3D printing, biomedical engineering offers the greatest potential for its applications. In this article, we will examine the rise of 3D printing in the healthcare and medical sector.

How it all started: the history of 3D printing

When Japanese inventor Hideo Kodama filed the first patent for a "  rapid prototyping device  " in 1981, the concept seemed doomed from the start, as Dr. Kodama quickly abandoned funding for his p

atent the following year. Yet this idea became a catalyst for other innovations. In 1984, Charles Hall filed a patent for a stereolithography system (SLA), a 3D printing technology widely used even today. The first commercial 3D printer followed in 1988, based on revolutionary SLA technology.

Other essential 3D printing technologies quickly follow. By the late 1980s , patents had been filed for two other types of additive manufacturing devices: fused deposition modeling (FDM) and selective laser sintering (SLS). FDM uses a technique called extrusion , where a nozzle deposits heated material layer by layer to build the product in 3D. SLS works a little differently; This process involves spreading layers of powder-based material on the build platform, before rapid solidification (or “sintering”) for each layer of 3D printed product. Subsequently, “  projection  ” technologies (a modified version of 2D inkjet printing technology) and vat photopolymerization technologies arrived quickly.

These technologies were initially reserved for patent holders. However, since the expiration of these patents and the invention of the open source concept of RepRap , new companies can now make a name for themselves in this fascinating industry. Many of the major advances have been made in the field of biomedicine, including the development of the first 3D printed organ for transplant surgery: a bladder.

Today, 3D printing for biomedical applications is booming. The global biomedical 3D printing market size has been estimated at $1.45 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to around $ 6.21 billion by 2030 . To uncover major trends in biomedical 3D printing, we analyzed data from CAS Content Collection™ , the largest human-curated collection of published scientific knowledge.

Technologies and materials used in 3D printing

3D printing is divided into four main categories: powder bed fusion, projection, extrusion and photopolymerization. Given the wide diversity of applications, there is no “one size fits all” 3D printing model. Extrusion-based technologies like FDM, however, remain the most popular types of biomedical 3D printing 

From plastics to metals to natural substances, a wide range of materials can be used in biomedical 3D printing. Synthetic polymers like polycaprolactone and poly(lactic acid) are among the most frequently used materials in 3D printing , due to their applications in microfluidics and medical implants . The most widely used inorganic substance is hydroxylapatite, employed in dental materials and as a putty for bone repair . A number of natural polymers, such as alginate and hyaluronic acid, are becoming increasingly popular in bioprinting .

The rise of biomedical 3D printing

Annual journal and patent publication trends on biomedical applications of 3D printing indicate that innovation in this area is booming, although the number of journal publications was significantly higher (around 15 000) than that of patent publications (around 5,700) . This trend could reflect the increase in commercialization of this technology in recent years.

Around 90 countries have published papers on applications of biomedical 3D printing, suggesting widespread interest in the technology. Among these countries, the United States and China lead with the highest number of article publications and patents  .

When we look closely at the trend of biomedical 3D printing in terms of patent assignees, we can see that most of the patents have been granted to 3M, an American company. Other countries active in this area include Korea, Liechtenstein, France and China .

Credit: CASORG

Innovative applications of biomedical 3D printing

We've already highlighted some key applications of biomedical 3D printing, but the possibilities are endless . From the development of medical implants to the manufacturing of medical equipment, innovations are multiplying. Tissue and organ engineering is a major application of 3D printing: we study in particular the manufacturing of complex structures such as cartilage , muscles and skin . Analysis of CAS Content Collection indicates that concepts such as tissue engineering, tissue scaffolding, and bioprinting, appear frequently in publications on biomedical 3D printing related to tissues and organs, which which highlights this as a key area of ​​research  .

3D printing technology also has several potential applications in pharmaceutical products, helping to realize the previously unattainable dream of personalized medicine. The use of biomedical 3D printing could make it possible to modify and refine the dosage, shape, size and release characteristics of pharmaceuticals.

Biomedical 3D printing technology has also opened up new possibilities in the creation of prosthetics and implants, making it possible to create personalized prostheses based on anatomy, skin color, body shape and shape. patient size. Soft materials have brought more options for different body parts and their capabilities, while metals such as titanium alloy can be used in bone reconstruction . Analysis of CAS Content Collection indicates that concepts such as "prosthetic implants",

"prosthetic" materials and "dental implants" appear frequently in publications dedicated to 3D printing in the field of orthopedics and of the prosthetic . Although these publications are significantly fewer than those focusing on tissues and organs, this is a dynamic and rapidly growing field.

The challenges of biomedical 3D printing

Although we have seen many exciting advances in biomedical 3D printing, in many areas the technology is still in its infancy. For example, researchers have succeeded in bioprinting vascularized heart patches , but the manufacture of a robust heart valve (let alone an entire organ) is still far from being a reality. Currently, 3D printers are not able to produce tissues with the biomechanics and functionality of real tissues. Advances in bioinks and the use of media and stem cells will most likely contribute to the future optimization of these methods.

The future of biomedical 3D printing

Based on current research trends, we can expect to see continued major investments and innovations in biomedical 3D printing. We expect this technology to become increasingly widespread, with the concept of 3D printers used in pharmacies now appearing to be a real possibility. Although biomedical 3D printing represents a major financial investment for hospitals, the benefits clearly outweigh

the costs when proper planning is used. As technology evolves, there will be a need for standardized terminology and the US Food and Drug Administration will need to define a new regulatory framework that will ensure the safety and effectiveness of biomedical 3D printing products.