3D Printing Technology is revolutionizing the medical field.

Have you heard of 3D Printing? You may have seen this technology used to make small toys, small household items, or decorative items. But you would be surprised to hear that this 3D Printing technology is now being used to save our lives and make amazing changes in medicine. These things that were previously only seen in science fiction movies are now happening in real life. So, today, let's talk about how this amazing technology can help our healthcare sector.

How is 3D printing used in hospitals?

Imagine that you are having a major surgery to remove a tumor from a kidney. In the past, doctors could only see the exact condition of the organs inside the body after the operation began. But that is no longer the case.

With current technology, a doctor can use a patient's CT or MRI scan to create a full-size model of the patient's kidney, a 3D model , before surgery. This can be held in your hand, like a replica of the patient's own kidney.

Using this model, the doctor can practice the surgery before actually performing it. They can plan in advance where the tumor is, how the blood vessels run, and where to cut for the best results. What are the advantages of this?

• Reduced surgical time: Some studies have found that using a 3D model in this way can reduce surgical time by about 1.5 – 2.5 hours.
• Reduced bleeding: Planning ahead reduces unnecessary blood loss.
• Reduced hospital stay: When the surgery is successful, the patient can recover quickly and go home.

Prosthetics

Prosthetics are a great lifeline for someone who has lost a limb, whether through an accident or birth. But they are usually very expensive. And they are difficult to make to fit everyone.

Here is a perfect solution to this problem with 3D Printing technology. It is now possible to create artificial limbs that fit the measurements of each person's body, are lightweight, and are inexpensive . Because of this, this technology has helped many people around the world.

For example, there is a volunteer organization called `e-NABLE`. Its designers, engineers, and doctors have come together to create more than 8,000 artificial limbs using 3D printing and have given them to people in need all over the world for free. This is a truly great service.

Implants that are surgically inserted into the body

Sometimes, when parts of our bodies, such as bones and joints, wear out or are damaged in an accident, we perform surgery and insert a part made of metal or other material in its place. We call these implants. These are commonly used for things like hips, knees, and spines.

3D printing technology has entered this field as well. Implants made using 3D printing have several advantages over traditionally made implants.

3D Printing to make medical equipment!

3D printing technology is now being used to make delicate instruments such as forceps and clamps used in surgery. One of the biggest advantages of this is that if a doctor uses a certain instrument and makes an idea like, “I wish the handle on this one was a little different,” a new instrument can be made very quickly with that change.

Also, if there is a shortage of medical equipment in an emergency, this is also a good solution. The best example is the Covid-19 pandemic. There was a shortage of ventilators all over the world. At that time, a team at an American university created a ventilator using 3D printing at a very low cost, without requiring electricity, and in as little as 3 hours.

What will the future of this technology be like?

While what we see so far is still amazing, the future of 3D printing technology is heading towards an even more amazing place.

3D Body Tissues

Currently, the 3D models that doctors use are made of plastic or rubber. But imagine how much easier it would be for a doctor to practice surgery if they had a model that felt like a real heart and could be cut and sewn?

Now researchers have reached that point. Recently, a research team has created a 3D model of a complete human heart from alginate , a jelly-like material that resembles real heart tissue. The biggest challenge was that when printing such a soft material, it would collapse due to gravity. They have also developed a special technique (the `FRESH` technique).

The hope for the future is that organ models created in this way can be used as a framework for human cells to grow, to repair damaged organs, and perhaps even to create entirely new organs .

3D Pills

Today, we all get the same pills, made in the same way, with the same dosage. But each person's body is different. So, medicine is now moving towards the concept of personalized medicine . That is, making medicine specifically suited to each patient.

This can be done with 3D printing. This technology can make a special pill by changing everything from the exact dose the patient needs, the speed at which the medicine dissolves in the body, and the shape. The drug ``Spritam (levetiracetam)`` for epilepsy has already been made in this way and has been approved for use.

The only downside to this method is that it takes a while to make a pill. But now researchers have found a new way to print a pill in as little as 7 seconds using a light-sensitive chemical. Perhaps in the future, you will be able to make your own special pill using the light from your phone's screen .

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