Medical Applications for 3D Printing: Current and Projected Uses

Abstract

3D printing is expected to revolutionize health care through uses in tissue and organ fabrication; creation of customized prosthetics, implants, and anatomical models; and pharmaceutical research regarding drug dosage forms, delivery, and discovery.

Figures

Figure 1

A 3D printer uses instructions in a digital file to create a physical object.

Figure 2

Radiographic images can be converted to 3D print files to create complex, customized anatomical and medical structures.

Figure 3

The NIH 3D print exchange is a free online resource for sharing medical and scientific 3D print files and tutorials.

Figure 4

Researchers at the National Library of Medicine generate digital files from clinical data, such as CT scans, that are used to make custom 3D-printed surgical and medical models.

Figure 5

A 3D model used for surgical planning by neurosurgeons at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Figure 6

A 3D-printed representation of an influenza hemagglutinin trimer.