Three-Dimensional Printing: Basic Principles and Applications in Medicine and Radiology.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology has evolved from simple 3D visualizations to creating tangible, complex objects.
• Initially limited to hard tissue applications, 3DP has expanded significantly in recent years.
• Advancements in multi-material 3DP have broadened its use across various medical fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the process of 3D reconstruction from medical imaging for 3DP.
• To discuss various 3DP systems applicable in medicine.
• To introduce multi-material 3DP applications in healthcare and present recent findings.

Main Methods:

• Review of medical imaging techniques for 3D model creation.
• Analysis of different three-dimensional printing systems.
• Exploration of multi-material 3DP applications in medicine.

Main Results:

• 3DP enables the creation of physical models beyond 2D screen visualizations.
• Multi-material 3DP is extensively used for personalized surgical planning, custom implants, research, and education.
• The review covers 3D reconstruction, 3DP systems, and diverse medical applications.

Conclusions:

• Three-dimensional printing, particularly with multi-materials, offers significant advancements in personalized medicine.
• The technology facilitates improved surgical planning, patient-specific implants, and enhanced medical training.
• Continued development in 3DP holds promise for further innovation in healthcare.