Additive Manufacturing of Biomaterials, Tissues, and Organs

Abstract

Abstract-The introduction of additive manufacturing (AM), often referred to as three-dimensional (3D) printing, has initiated what some believe to be a manufacturing revolution, and has expedited the development of the field of biofabrication. Moreover, recent advances in AM have facilitated further development of patient-specific healthcare solutions. Customization of many healthcare products and services, such as implants, drug delivery devices, medical instruments, prosthetics, and in vitro models, would have been extremely challenging-if not impossible-without AM technologies. The current special issue of the Annals of Biomedical Engineering presents the latest trends in application of AM techniques to healthcare-related areas of research. As a prelude to this special issue, we review here the most important areas of biomedical research and clinical practice that have benefited from recent developments in additive manufacturing techniques. This editorial, therefore, aims to sketch the research landscape within which the other contributions of the special issue can be better understood and positioned. In what follows, we briefly review the application of additive manufacturing techniques in studies addressing biomaterials, (re)generation of tissues and organs, disease models, drug delivery systems, implants, medical instruments, prosthetics, orthotics, and AM objects used for medical visualization and communication.

Fabrication and characterization of 3D‐printed elastic auricular scaffolds: A pilot study

“…The scaffold fabrication method should be able to create the delicate shape, size, and microstructure characteristic to the auricle. In the field of biomaterials, three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology represents a new and versatile manufacturing process that can produce many types of tissues and organs with the designed structure . Auricular reconstruction requires using biocompatible and flexible materials that can remain permanently implanted.…”

“…In the field of biomaterials, three-dimensional (3D) printing technology represents a new and versatile manufacturing process that can produce many types of tissues and organs with the designed structure. [9][10][11][12] Auricular reconstruction requires using biocompatible and flexible materials that can remain permanently implanted. Fabrication of 3D-printed polyurethane (PU) tracheal scaffolds for repairing partial tracheal defects was previously reported.…”

Biomaterials and Tissue Biomechanics: A Match Made in Heaven?

“…That is partially due to the maturity of the techniques developed by both communities that allows the focus to be at least partially shifted towards the interaction of those techniques with ones developed in other research communities. Moreover, certain characterization techniques such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) [1,2] and fabrication methods such as advanced additive manufacturing (3D printing) techniques [3] have become available that allow and call for more direct interactions between biomaterials and tissue biomechanics. That is why this special issue is devoted to the study of biomaterials and tissue biomechanics.…”

Clinical application of triangular parabolic PEEK mesh with hole button produced by combining CAD, FEM and 3DP into cranioplasty

“…Hutmacher et al have a consensus on that 3DP can print out various complex biocompatible implants without changing mechanical properties of the materials [17,32]. Murphy and others also support than 3DP can produce bioactive materials, tissues, organs such as blood vessels, kidneys [33,34]. What is important is its low cost of 3DP, among which SLS-3DP is still relatively expensive, but still cost effective when considering its high precision after sintering and that bone growth factor can be added.…”