3D Printers are now manufacturing a variety of products including medical devices, tissue scaffolds, aeroplane parts and machine components to name a few.
Background
Originally referred to Rapid prototyping, 3D printing is essentially a layering process which builds up a shape by the deposition of small amounts of material. After many hundred (or thousands) of layers, the desired shape of the product is achieved. Depending on the configuration of the 3D printer and the scale of the build, it can take many hours to complete the process. This “time to print” factor is a leading challenge for most 3D printers. I remember preparing a 3D printer on a Friday afternoon to build a component over the weekend. Often to come in on a Monday, and find it had “crashed” with an error. But errors aside, even more modern equipment still demonstrates a slow cycle time. This can be tolerated for expensive, once-off products or components, but does not make sense for many low cost, high-volume products or components.
False conceptions
A lot of people incorrectly believe that 3D printing is confined to small parts and products. However, that is not the case. Formula 1 teams and Aeronautical engineers have used them since the 1980’s building prototypes in order to understand designs better and develop improvements. Larger 3D printing system are less common due to the high costs.
Creating structure
When it comes to living organisms, tissue engineering and organ development, 3D printing is now a tool that is increasingly used. While printing “tissue” is typically not possible, cells can be printed into a support structure known as a scaffold, which then entices tissue generation and growth. Another example of the power of 3D printing is found in the next generation stents used to unblock veins and arteries. 3D printing offers the accuracy and resolution required for these implantable medical devices, and when combined with novel materials, they can provide the ideal structural and physiological conditions.
Want to learn more?
Check out the BBC Radio 4 podcast on 3D bioprinting here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05pn3t4
Abbot Vascular also have a good overview video of the Absorb Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold (BVS) Systems, visit www.abbottvascular.com.
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