3D Printing Technologies in Metallic Implants: A Thematic Review on the Techniques and Procedures

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) is among the most attractive methods to produce implants, the processes are very swift and it can be precisely controlled to meet patient’s requirement since they can be produced in exact shape, dimension, and even texture of different living tissues. Until now, lots of methods have emerged and used in this field with diverse characteristics. This review aims to comprehensively discuss 3D printing (3DP) technologies to manufacture metallic implants, especially on techniques and procedures. Various technologies based on their main properties are categorized, the effecting parameters are introduced, andthe history of AM technology is briefly analyzed. Subsequently, the utilization of these AM-manufactured components in medicine along with their effectual variables is discussed, and special attention is paid on to the production of porous scaffolds, taking pore size, density, etc., into consideration. Finally, 3DP of the popular metallic systems in medical applications such as titanium, Ti6Al4V, cobalt-chromium alloys, and shape memory alloys are studied. In general, AM manufactured implants need to comply with important requirements such as biocompatibility, suitable mechanical properties (strength and elastic modulus), surface conditions, custom-built designs, fast production, etc. This review aims to introduce the AM technologies in implant applications and find new ways to design more sophisticated methods and compatible implants that mimic the desired tissue functions.

Computer vision-aided bioprinting for bone research

“…As a powerful biofabrication tool, bioprinting has shown clinical potential in the bone research field, with advantages including high specificity, high precision, and low cost, which are consistent with the characteristics of additive manufacturing (AM). 16 , 17 Aided by computer vision, this method can produce bioprinted scaffolds or bioengineered grafts with multiple types of cells and biomaterials, with precise control over shape, size and spatial placement, which would greatly contribute to bone implantation. Computer vision is a simulation of biological vision, and its main task is to identify objects and determine the suitable orientation to achieve rapid positioning, object size measurements, defect detection, and object sorting.…”

Surface Treatment and Bioinspired Coating for 3D-Printed Implants

“…Many attempts have been made to replace the metallic alloy component, but no sign of improvement has been observed aside from more issues, including those related to corrosion ( Joung, 2013 ). There are many significant benefits surrounding 3D printing as mentioned in many articles from its customization ( Attarilar et al, 2020 ) to being cost effective ( Schubert et al, 2014 ), and being ready-built in several hours ( Mertz, 2013 ). Specifically, healthcare professionals use 3D printing to engage with patients via software, such as MIMICS or MeDraw, without requiring engineering expertise to develop and analyze models ( Dai and Xu, 2021 ).…”

In Vitro Physical-Chemical Behaviour Assessment of 3D-Printed CoCrMo Alloy for Orthopaedic Implants

“…A 3D printer can use different types of materials starting from various plastics to different metallic powder mixtures. About 50 metallic alloys can be used in 3D printing and they are mostly Ti, Ni, Al, stainless steel, CoCr, etc., alloys and more than 80% of them are used as implants [4].…”