3D printing medical sector: Customizing patient treatments

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• January 6, 2022

Insight summary

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has evolved from its early use cases in engineering and manufacturing to find valuable applications in the food, aerospace, and health sectors. In healthcare, it offers the potential for improved surgical planning and training through patient-specific organ models, enhancing surgical outcomes and medical education. Personalized medication development using 3D printing could transform drug prescription and consumption, while on-site production of medical equipment may reduce costs and increase efficiency, benefiting underserved areas. 

3D printing in the medical sector context 

3D printing is a manufacturing technique that can create three-dimensional objects by layering raw materials together. Since the 1980s, the technology has innovated beyond early use cases in engineering and manufacturing and has migrated toward equally useful applications in the food, aerospace, and health sectors. Hospitals and medical research labs, in particular, are exploring novel uses of 3D tech for new approaches to treating physical injuries and organ replacement.

In the 1990s, 3D printing was initially utilized in the medical field for dental implants and bespoke prostheses. By the 2010s, scientists were eventually able to generate organs from the cells of patients and support them with a 3D printed framework. As technology progressed to accommodate increasingly complex organs, physicians began to develop tiny functional kidneys without a 3D printed scaffold. 

On the prosthetic front, 3D printing can produce outputs tailored to the patient's anatomy because it does not require molds or several pieces of specialist equipment. Similarly, 3D designs can be altered quickly. Cranial implants, joint replacements, and dental restorations are a few examples. While some major companies create and market these items, point-of-care manufacturing uses a higher degree of customization in inpatient care.

Disruptive impact

The ability to create patient-specific models of organs and body parts could significantly enhance surgical planning and training. Surgeons could use these models to practice complex procedures, reducing the risk of complications during actual surgeries. Furthermore, these models could serve as educational tools, providing medical students with a hands-on approach to learning human anatomy and surgical techniques.

In pharmaceuticals, 3D printing could lead to the development of personalized medication. This technology could enable the production of pills tailored to an individual's specific needs, such as combining multiple medications into a single pill or adjusting dosage based on the patient's unique physiology. This level of customization could improve treatment efficacy and patient compliance, potentially transforming the way medications are prescribed and consumed. However, this would require careful regulation and oversight to ensure safety and efficacy.

The integration of 3D printing in the medical sector could have significant implications for healthcare economics and policy. The ability to produce medical equipment and supplies on-site could reduce dependence on external suppliers, potentially leading to cost savings and increased efficiency. This could be particularly beneficial for remote or underserved areas, where access to medical supplies can be challenging. Governments and healthcare organizations may need to consider these potential benefits when developing policies and strategies for healthcare delivery in the future.

Implications of 3D printing in the medical sector

Wider implications of 3D printing in the medical sector may include:

• Faster production of implants and prosthetics that are cheaper, more durable, and custom-tailored to each patient. 
• Improved medical student training by allowing students to practice surgeries with 3D printed organs.
• Improved surgical preparation by allowing surgeons to practice surgeries with 3D printed replica organs of the patients they will be operating on.
• The elimination of extended organ replacement wait times as cellular 3D printers gain the ability to output functioning organs (2040s). 
• The elimination of most prosthetics as cellular 3D printers gain the ability to output functioning replacement hands, arms, and legs (2050s). 
• Increased accessibility to personalized prosthetics and medical devices empowering individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusivity and improving their quality of life.
• Regulatory frameworks and standards to ensure the safety, efficacy, and ethical use of 3D printing in healthcare, striking a balance between fostering innovation and protecting patient well-being.
• Customized solutions for age-related health issues, such as orthopedic implants, dental restorations, and assistive devices, addressing the specific needs of older individuals.
• Job opportunities in biomedical engineering, digital design, and 3D printing technology development.
• Reduced waste and resource consumption by optimizing material usage, minimizing the need for large-scale production and enabling on-demand production.

Questions to consider

• How else can 3D printing be used to improve health outcomes?
• What are some safety standards that regulators should adopt in response to the increased application of 3D printing in the medical sector?