3D Printing: How can it improve the medical industry?

3D printing is revolutionizing and enhancing various industries and the medical industry is no exception. There are numerous benefits 3D printing provides for the field in order to improve and save patient’s lives.

5 Benefits of 3D printing in the medical industry

1. Complex operations

3D printing plays an important role in training future doctors and preparing for actual operations. 2D images are useful; however, they provide little visualization and do not represent an actual human part. 3D printing, on the other hand, provides models that look realistic and mimic actual human parts. This makes the operational process more accurate and effective.

2. Advanced technology

Future doctors can practice on 3D printed organs. This is much more accurate than for example training on animal organs. Training on human-like, 3D printed parts increases the quality of skills doctors obtain during training and the medical treatment of patients.

3. Intricate care

3D printers create low-cost prosthetics where people need them, for example in war-torn countries. They are an affordable solution for people who cannot afford to buy a prosthetic. Low-cost medical equipment is also important in poverty-stricken countries and remote areas. There are areas where road infrastructure is too bad to deliver medical equipment. 3D printing makes it easier to print the necessary equipment in those villages without having to regularly transport them.

4. Expensive procedures and long waiting time

3D printing allows to 3D print medical and lab equipment. It is possible to 3D print plastic parts of the equipment. This drastically reduces costs and time spent waiting to receive a new medical device from external suppliers. Furthermore, the manufacturing process and further applications are also easier. This makes equipment more readily available and allows low-income or hard to access areas to get 3D printed medical equipment more easily.

5. Customization

Making prosthetics the traditional way is very expensive because they have to be personalized to the individual. 3D printers give users the freedom to choose, e.g. different designs, forms, sizes and colors of their prostheses. This makes every 3D printed piece personalized. 3D printers also allow prosthetics to be more widely available at a lower price.

Do you want to know how you can use 3D printing in your work? CONTACT US and receive a FREE, PERSONALIZED consultation about your possible 3D print solution!

3D PRINTER BUILT FOR PRECISION

The Bolt PRO provides the following benefits to the medical industry.

a. Variety of materials

With the Bolt PRO, you can 3D print with different materials. It is possible to 3D print soft padding where the patient’s bone touches the prosthetic. This increases patient’s comfort and reduces the impact and risk of injury.

b. Large print volume

The Bolt PRO has a large build volume which is great for 3D printing large bones. This allows doctors to have a tangible model they can touch and practice on and better understand the operation.

c. High-temperature hot ends

Bolt PRO enables you to print high-temperature materials that can be sterilized. Polypropylene is a great material for medical applications because it offers high levels of heat and is resistant to chemicals.

d. HEPA filter

The Bolt PRO is suitable for the office environment because of its HEPA filter. The filter reduces any negative fumes by 99.9%. This means you can easily have the Bolt PRO at your office and use it for printing on the spot.

Are you interested in a success story of Mackay Hospital using 3D printing to enhance their surgeon’s skills? Click HERE.

3D printing applications in medicine will keep on improving and increasing people’s quality of life. We are certain that in the end, 3D printers will be a vital part of medical processes.