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Updated: May 29, 2026
3D Printing of Preclinical X-ray Computed Tomographic Data Sets
Published on: March 22, 2013
Medical 3-D Printing Within a Health Care Facility
Frank J Rybicki1, Elsa M Arribas2, Anthony Atala3
1Banner University Medical Center and University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona; Department Chair, Radiology.
Purpose:
Within the widespread use of medical 3-D printing at health care facilities (HCFs), the scope and complexity of patient-specific anatomic models and anatomic (surgical) guides are expanding. The authors formed a multidisciplinary panel to seek consensus regarding best practices for 3-D printing at a HCF.
Methods:
At the request of the ACR, a 14-member panel was formed with members nominated by 10 professional societies. This multidisciplinary team represented those involved in health care 3-D printing. The panel made statements and recommendations in five areas: (1) general statements, (2) practice recommendations, (3) quality and safety recommendations, (4) government relations recommendations, and (5) economics recommendations. Discussions and three rounds of meetings were conducted to reach consensus.
Results:
The panel members reached unanimous or near unanimous consensus on 25 statements and recommendations. The recommendations focused on consistent, safe, and sustainable 3-D-printed parts derived from medical images.
Conclusions:
This multidisciplinary collaboration represents consensus results on best practices regarding medical 3-D printing. These recommendations frame the typical workflow and provide a contemporary reference regarding common elements to the clinical procedure of 3-D printing at HCFs.
