The application of 3D printing technology in medical applications is expanding. Relying on medical scanning and imaging technologies (CT, MRI, ultrasound), this new approach provides more economical and effective solutions for healthcare and is transforming the supply chain of the existing healthcare industry .
A noteworthy thing in this regard is that the US pharmaceutical regulatory agency FDA has issued market licenses for some 3D printed medical devices .
So what are the medical end applications that can be 3D printed?
General purpose items (hip/knee/shoulder implant or implant attachment)
Unique custom projects (hearing aids, dentistry, insoles, prostheses and orthopedic implants)
Model (for the next step in making crowns or orthodontics)
These medical fields that have adopted 3D printed components have gained a more streamlined supply chain. 3D printing technology does not require multiple production processes or use any other tools, and can minimize inventory. This results in lower costs and shorter lead times, especially for small, complex components such as orthopedic implants.
Many surgeons are currently experimenting with metal 3D printing processes to make orthopedic implants, and will soon be a successful application. The reason is that metal 3D printing mainly has the following characteristics:
1) Biocompatible metal powder
The ability to obtain an expected response from adjacent cells and tissues on its surface is a very important attribute of surgical implants. Because cell behavior (adhesion, functional changes, morphological changes, and proliferation) is strongly influenced by its surface properties. Surface topography, surface chemistry, and surface energy dominate the biological response of the implant.
Thus, for the manufacture of implants, the preferred materials are pure titanium and titanium alloys. Pure titanium has high corrosion resistance and is considered to be the most biocompatible metal. As long as its surface is exposed to an oxidizing medium, it is capable of spontaneously forming a stable inert oxide layer. If biomedical implants are required to have higher strength, then the better choice is Ti6Al4V alloy, which also exhibits good fatigue and corrosion resistance and a low specific gravity.
In addition, other biocompatible materials that can be provided in powder form are stainless steel 316L and cobalt chromium alloys. The highly controlled metal 3D printing environment (filled with neutral gases and oxygen-limited) ensures high purity of the printed parts and retains the desired material properties.
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