3D Printing Technology and its Significant Applications in the Context of Healthcare Education

Abstract

3D printing applications help solve challenges in the field of healthcare. These technologies evolved to produce custom-made medical devices and implants for patients and enhance medical education and research. This paper aims to make readers aware of the role of 3D printing in the field of medical education. 3D printing technologies are part of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. 3D printing shows excellent potential with unconventional materials like different types of plastic, ketones, wood, human cells, metal powder, ceramics, composites, smart material, etc. This manufacturing method is suitable for producing complex and intricate shaped medical objects of the required property with lesser wastage of material. This paper introduces 3D printing technology and the need to carry out this study related to medical education and research. A brief literature review of 3D printing has been carried out. The paper further discusses the capabilities of 3D printing in the field of medicine. Patient-specific 3D models are being designed and then manufactured and implanted. 3D models of defective body parts help surgical planning and better part designing. Finally, the paper discusses significant roles of 3D printing in healthcare education in a tabular form. For the future, this technology has immense potential for medical education, surgical planning and support including for a clear understanding of the disease.