3D printing in medicine: Utilizing advanced technology

3D printing in medicine has become increasingly important in recent years. Once used primarily for the production of models, 3D printing is now indispensable in medicine for meeting the high demands of medical technology cost-effectively and quickly, producing high-quality products.

Thanks to technological advances, the options for 3D printing in medical technology are now diverse: hearing aids, surgical instruments, and operating room tools are produced by 3D printers and enrich the daily lives of medical professionals. In this blog post, we want to take a look at the possibilities, requirements, and challenges of 3D printing in medicine.

Medical technology and 3D printing – just like robots in medicine – are no longer inseparable. Printed copies of medical solutions are used particularly in specific fields such as orthopedics or dentistry. A 3D printer can easily print implants, new joints, or hips based on patient scans.

The most commonly printed products include:

However, this brief overview does not fully represent the wide variety of possibilities. 3D printing in medicine enables independent and efficient work to offer patients the best possible outcome.

Medicine requires innovation for effective patient treatment. The production of prototypes using 3D printing in medicine contributes to improving healthcare and enables medical revolutions. With a 3D printer, a prototype can be quickly developed and printed based on three-dimensional data. The resulting products exhibit similar mechanical properties to parts produced using traditional manufacturing processes.

At that, users remain flexible. Necessary adjustments can be made within a few hours, even regarding important criteria for medical devices, such as heat resistance.

3D printing also enables the individual customization of medical devices in medical technology. Dentistry is a pioneer in this field, where templates, splints, and dentures can be printed quickly and cost-effectively.

But other applications can also be realized using three-dimensional printing processes to assist patients. Customized audio devices, as well as prosthetics and orthoses in orthopedics, offer customers reliable medical support in their everyday lives. Artificial intelligence in medical technology can also provide additional assistance in customization.

Additive manufacturing in medicine allows complex designs with the correct dimensions to be produced at low cost. While there are currently few studies on the product lifespan, there have been documented cases in which printed titanium hips function just as well after more than ten years of use as they did when they were first implanted. This could potentially save patients from having to replace them after a certain period of time, thus improving their quality of life and everyday life.

3D printing in medicine not only makes everyday life easier for patients, but also represents a straightforward and efficient solution for doctors and medical professionals.

If a 3D printer is used in medicine, it must comply with regulatory requirements. These requirements are known as the Medical Device Directive (MDD) and the Medical Device Regulation (MDR). The correct analysis and strategy for establishing 3D printing in medicine are therefore extremely important to ensure product safety.

The Medical Device Regulation (MDR) describes the requirements for the following regulations:

In addition, the MDR imposes further requirements, such as a risk assessment, clinical evaluation, and conformity assessment. In addition to a certified medical 3D printer, suitable materials are also required.

Medical grade materials may be used for this purpose. These materials have already been tested for safety and performance by the material manufacturers.

Furthermore, users of medical 3D printing require products for post-processing and cleaning the printed prostheses, orthoses, and other printed items. Subsequent material testing is also important to test the functionality and requirements of the products required for medical treatment. Testing instruments such as ATR-FTIR spectrometers or photo-DSC are suitable for this purpose.

3D printing in medicine is not yet at the end of its journey. While additive manufacturing in medicine is advanced enough to print simple implants or hip replacements, it is not yet capable of extremely complex procedures and replacement parts.

One problem here is the lack of raw materials. For example, if a living organ is to be printed using 3D printing with a bioprinter, finding the optimal combination of the right components is a major challenge. The financial factor for printing also plays a role, as natural and synthetic polymers are extremely expensive.

In addition, there are still some regulatory difficulties regarding approval and ensuring material compatibility. The high initial acquisition costs of 3D printing in hospitals also pose a challenge for users.

There's no question that 3D printing will continue to play an important role in medicine in the future. Thanks to ever-evolving technology, advancing research, and significant investments in innovative medical technology, the first functional organs produced by 3D printers are only a matter of time.

However, 3D printing in medicine already offers competent solutions to improve patient care. Advanced printers and high-quality materials enable the precise printing of medical products based on patient needs, thereby continuously improving the healthcare situation.

The possibilities of 3D printing in medical technology only develop their full potential when technology meets sophisticated design. This is precisely where Held+Team comes in: As a specialized design agency for medical technology, we work with you to develop products that not only impress with their functionality, but also score points for ergonomics, user-friendliness, and regulatory compliance. Whether designing housings for medical 3D-printed products or strategic product development in compliance with the German Medical Device Regulation (MDR) – Held+Team supports companies from the initial idea to market readiness. This makes 3D printing not only a technological but also a design game-changer in the healthcare sector.

If you have any further questions about 3D printing in medicine or our work in the field of medical technology design, please feel free to contact us at any time.