Medical 3D Printing

The 3D printing industry is projected to hit $32 billion by 2025, and while healthcare currently represents only about 10 percent of the demand for online printing, trends indicate that this is on the rise.

As the population ages, and the demand for donor organs increases, bioprinting can fill a vital need. In regenerative medicine, 3D printing with patient-derived stem cells enables personalized therapies and minimizes rejection rates. And a recent research report indicates that 3D printing can be a valuable tool during complex surgical cases where the ability to generate patient-specific instruments and implants shortens surgery times and speeds recovery.

Although the technology is already seeing widespread use in orthopedics, cranio-maxillofacial surgery, reconstructive surgery and cardiology applications, additional research will undoubtedly uncover new uses for this rapidly expanding tool.