Robust application of 3-D Printing in Healthcare

Abstract: 3-D printing has drastic expansion and has been a multidisciplinary research field attracting health professionals throughout the globe. It is a technique of three-Dimensional modelling of an object by hardening the material under the control, basically converting DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communication) images into stereo lithographic files. In early stages of its invention it was primarily and extensively used for two purposes one was for craniofacial modelling and the other was for dentistry, but as time passed by, it made a major impact on medical fields like anatomical models, bio printing, medicinal education, tissue engineering, etc. where the scaffold (3-D structure) are formed which are used for formation of new viable tissues for medical purposes. Recent days, 3-D printing technique symbolizes big opportunity to aid medical and pharmaceutical sectors enabling rapid production of medical implants, medicine and changing the way doctors and surgeons plan procedures. The overall aim of this paper is to explore through and provide a survey on all these recent technologies and theoretical concept explaining the development of 3-D printing mainly in the healthcare sector. This paper intends to introduce with a brief explanation as to how and why 3-D printing in healthcare is changing practices, teaching and research.

Keywords: Tissue engineering; Anatomical models; Customized implants prostheses; 3-D vascularised organs