Download The March/April edition of 3D ADEPT Mag

To date, about a dozen end-use applications have already been identified in the healthcare industry. This is a big step for humanity considering where we come from, but a small step for users when we see the work that still needs to be done in terms of process standardization, education for more thoughtful use, and manufacturing for more reliable processes. There is definitely reason to be proud of, but the growing list of processes that need to be clarified, to be explained and to be enhanced somehow overshadows these milestones.  Fortunately for us, we can play a modest role at this level: that of confronting, of making explicit, to better enlighten the stakeholders.

This healthcare edition of 3D ADEPT Mag provides an interesting look at the production of 3D-printed medicines, the digital manufacturing of 3D-printed medical devices, the development of implants or crowns with the appropriate materials, as well as the post-processing processes that evolve over time.

Exclusive features

Dossier

3D Pharma Printing: the path towards clinical applications

As seen with applications across other industries, the use of AM for pharmaceuticals started in research laboratories. As the technology is carving out a substantial place within clinical and general hospitals, one needs to realize the pivotal role of legislation and certification in their adoption at scale and understand the different factors that may slow down the development of the 3D pharma printing market. With contributions from Aprecia and FabRx, this dossier shed light on this go-to-market procedure as well as the key applications that 3D printing currently enables in this field of activity.

Post-processing 

Postprocessing 3D Printed Medical Devices via Electrochemistry: PECM

As Metal-AM transitions into volume production for orthopedic implants, costs-per-part become critical, and manufacturers must seek to reduce these costs in creative ways—sometimes at the detriment of surface quality and part resolution. Fortunately, there may be a technology capable of alleviating some of these manufacturing challenges for high-volume AM parts.

The medical 3D printing market keeps growing. How do the latest advancements in depowdering fit into this evolution?

During the past decades, medical technology advances have changed the practice of medicine. Whether we talk about mind-reading exoskeletons, 3D-printed drugs or implants, those innovations are coming to healthcare almost every day and it turns out – they ultimately want to address a challenge that stands the test of time: the need for more personalized care. A content produced with Solukon.

Software

Q&A with Matthew Shomper on (Computational) DfAM & 3D Printed Medical Devices.

In this Q&A series, Shomper shares advice on how designers can improve or get started on their computational DfAM journey and how nature might inspire some of the complex structures that once – 3D printed -, help hundreds of thousands of people on the road to recovery.

Events & News Round-up

Examples of applications recently completed in the healthcare industry.

Materials

The reasons why Lithoz’ Ceramic 3D printing is a great fit for restorative dentistry applications made with Lithium Disilicate

Thankfully today, it is possible to have a crown or a filling that perfectly matches the color of our teeth and it took a conversation with Lithoz’Daniel Bomze for me to realize that the secret behind such a solution lies in the use of a glass-ceramic material called Lithium Disilicate.

How do we use resin 3D printing materials in the healthcare industry? – Beyond dental applications

Among the wide range of 3D printing materials that can be used for medical devices, resins have often been harnessed and considered the materials of choice for dental applications. This was already considered a win for technology providers when we know that due to the expensive cost of the technology, the latter was only available to the largest, best-resourced medical centers and device manufacturers. Here is the thing, the affordability and accessibility of 3D printers came along with a demand for a variety of specifically engineered biocompatible materials with varying intended uses. An article co-written with Liqcreate.

Evonik on the role of polymer materials in improving the next generation of 3D printed implants?

While no one can be 100% sure that a hip or knee replacement will be the last operation needed on a specific joint, the ultimate goal for medical device manufacturers and healthcare professionals remains to explore all possible solutions that can increase the chances of a long-term successful surgery. One of these solutions lies in the choice of the right materials.

Start-up Area

Understanding SPID®, Laxxon’s Screen Printed Innovative Drug Technology and its business model

The company’s activities lie in the development of a 3D screen printing technology that seems to drastically change the manufacture of drugs in the pharmaceutical industry.