Current status and challenges of Additive manufacturing in orthopaedics: An overview

Generation of Customized Bone Implants from CT Scans Using FEA and AM

Additive manufacturing (AM) allows the creation of customized designs for various medical devices, such as implants, casts, and splints. Amongst other AM technologies, fused filament fabrication (FFF) facilitates the production of intricate geometries that are often unattainable through conventional methods like subtractive manufacturing. This study aimed to develop a methodology for substituting a pathological talus bone with a personalized one created using additive manufacturing. The process involved generating a numerical parametric solid model of the specific anatomical region using computed tomography (CT) scans of the corresponding healthy organ from the patient. The healthy talus served as a mirrored template to replace the defective one. Structural simulation of the model through finite element analysis (FEA) helped compare and select different materials to identify the most suitable one for the replacement bone. The implant was then produced using FFF technology. The developed procedure yielded commendable results. The models maintained high geometric accuracy, while significantly reducing the computational time. PEEK emerged as the optimal material for bone replacement among the considered options and several specimens of talus were successfully printed.

Extension of the Voronoi Diagram Algorithm to Orthotropic Space for Material Structural Design

Nowadays, the interaction of additive technologies and methods for designing or optimizing porous structures has yielded good results. Construction with complex microarchitectures can be created using this approach. Varying the microarchitecture leads to changes in weight and mechanical properties. However, there are problems with geometry reconstruction when dealing with complex microarchitecture. One approach is to use Voronoi cells for geometry reconstruction. In this article, an extension of the Voronoi diagram algorithm to orthotropic space for material structural design is presented. The inputs for the method include porosity, ellipticity, and ellipticity direction fields. As an example, a beam with fixed end faces and center kinematic loading was used. To estimate robust results for different numbers of clusters, 50, 75, and 100 clusters are presented. The porosity for smoothed structures ranged from 21.5% up to 22.8%. The stress-strain state was determined for the resulting structures. The stiffness for the initial and smoothed structures was the same. However, in the case of 75 and 100 clusters, local stress factors appeared in the smoothed structure. The maximum von Mises stress decreased by 20% for all smoothed structures in the area of kinematic loading and increased by 20% for all smoothed structures in the area of end faces.

Method of computational design for additive manufacturing of hip endoprosthesis based on basic-cell concept

Endoprosthetic hip replacement is the conventional way to treat osteoarthritis or a fracture of a dysfunctional joint. Different manufacturing methods are employed to create reliable patient-specific devices with long-term performance and biocompatibility. Recently, additive manufacturing has become a promising technique for the fabrication of medical devices, because it allows to produce complex samples with various structures of pores. Moreover, the limitations of traditional fabrication methods can be avoided. It is known that a well-designed porous structure provides a better proliferation of cells, leading to improved bone remodeling. Additionally, porosity can be used to adjust the mechanical properties of designed structures. This makes the design and choice of the structure's basic cell a crucial task. This study focuses on a novel computational method, based on the basic-cell concept to design a hip endoprosthesis with an unregularly complex structure. A cube with spheroid pores was utilized as a basic cell, with each cell having its own porosity and mechanical properties. A novelty of the suggested method is in its combination of the topology optimization method and the structural design algorithm. Bending and compression cases were analyzed for a cylinder structure and two hip implants. The ability of basic-cell geometry to influence the structure's stress-strain state was shown. The relative change in the volume of the original structure and the designed cylinder structure was 6.8%. Computational assessments of a stress-strain state using the proposed method and direct modeling were carried out. The volumes of the two types of implants decreased by 9% and 11%, respectively. The maximum von Mises stress was 600 MPa in the initial design. After the algorithm application, it increased to 630 MPa for the first type of implant, while it is not changing in the second type of implant. At the same time, the load-bearing capacity of the hip endoprostheses was retained. The internal structure of the optimized implants was significantly different from the traditional designs, but better structural integrity is likely to be achieved with less material. Additionally, this method leads to time reduction both for the initial design and its variations. Moreover, it enables to produce medical implants with specific functional structures with an additive manufacturing method avoiding the constraints of traditional technologies.

[Customized partial pelvis replacement: three-dimensional planning and management concepts]

The planning and implantation of a customized partial pelvis replacement places high demands on both the surgeon and the entire team (engineer, assistants, surgical team). Thanks to careful preoperative planning and meticulous perioperative execution, customized partial pelvic replacement represents a complex but reliable procedure for defect reconstruction even with highly complex acetabular bone defects or after multiple previous surgeries.

The Use of 3D Printing Technology in Gynaecological Brachytherapy-A Narrative Review

Radiation therapy, including image-guided adaptive brachytherapy based on magnetic resonance imaging, is the standard of care in locally advanced cervical and vaginal cancer and part of the treatment in other primary and recurrent gynaecological tumours. Tumour control probability increases with dose and brachytherapy is the optimal technique to increase the dose to the target volume while maintaining dose constraints to organs at risk. The use of interstitial needles is now one of the quality indicators for cervical cancer brachytherapy and needles should optimally be used in ≥60% of patients. Commercially available applicators sometimes cannot be used because of anatomical barriers or do not allow adequate target volume coverage due to tumour size or topography. Over the last five to ten years, 3D printing has been increasingly used for manufacturing of customised applicators in brachytherapy, with gynaecological tumours being the most common indication. We present the rationale, techniques and current clinical evidence for the use of 3D-printed applicators in gynaecological brachytherapy.

An overview of 3D printed metal implants in orthopedic applications: Present and future perspectives

With the ability to produce components with complex and precise structures, additive manufacturing or 3D printing techniques are now widely applied in both industry and consumer markets. The emergence of tissue engineering has facilitated the application of 3D printing in the field of biomedical implants. 3D printed implants with proper structural design can not only eliminate the stress shielding effect but also improve in vivo biocompatibility and functionality. By combining medical images derived from technologies such as X-ray scanning, CT, MRI, or ultrasonic scanning, 3D printing can be used to create patient-specific implants with almost the same anatomical structures as the injured tissues. Numerous clinical trials have already been conducted with customized implants. However, the limited availability of raw materials for printing and a lack of guidance from related regulations or laws may impede the development of 3D printing in medical implants. This review provides information on the current state of 3D printing techniques in orthopedic implant applications. The current challenges and future perspectives are also included.

Polysaccharide-based biomaterials in a journey from 3D to 4D printing

3D printing is a state-of-the-art technology for the fabrication of biomaterials with myriad applications in translational medicine. After stimuli-responsive properties were introduced to 3D printing (known as 4D printing), intelligent biomaterials with shape configuration time-dependent character have been developed. Polysaccharides are biodegradable polymers sensitive to several physical, chemical, and biological stimuli, suited for 3D and 4D printing. On the other hand, engineering of mechanical strength and printability of polysaccharide-based scaffolds along with their aneural, avascular, and poor metabolic characteristics need to be optimized varying printing parameters. Multiple disciplines such as biomedicine, chemistry, materials, and computer sciences should be integrated to achieve multipurpose printable biomaterials. In this work, 3D and 4D printing technologies are briefly compared, summarizing the literature on biomaterials engineering though printing techniques, and highlighting different challenges associated with 3D/4D printing, as well as the role of polysaccharides in the technological shift from 3D to 4D printing for translational medicine.

A review on in vitro/in vivo response of additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Bone replacement using porous and solid metallic implants, such as Ti-alloy implants, is regarded as one of the most practical therapeutic approaches in biomedical engineering. The bone is a complex tissue with various mechanical properties based on the site of action. Patient-specific Ti-6Al-4V constructs may address the key needs in bone treatment for having customized implants that mimic the complex structure of the natural tissue and diminish the risk of implant failure. This review focuses on the most promising methods of fabricating such patient-specific Ti-6Al-4V implants using additive manufacturing (AM) with a specific emphasis on the popular subcategory, which is powder bed fusion (PBF). Characteristics of the ideal implant to promote optimized tissue-implant interactions, as well as physical, mechanical/chemical treatments and modifications will be discussed. Accordingly, such investigations will be classified into 3B-based approaches (Biofunctionality, Bioactivity, and Biostability), which mainly govern native body response and ultimately the success in implantation.

A novel hybrid approach to develop bioresorbable material

The need for bioresorbable implants that are able to dissolve within the body is rising, unlike their traditional counterparts. Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) can perhaps serve this need, since they possess incredible properties, including high biocompatibility by virtue of their amorphous structure and absence of dislocations. However, the fabrication of BMGs is challenging, since, to achieve an amorphous structure, fast cooling is a pre-requisite which is very difficult to achieve for casting due to the fact that fast cooling rate and adequate rate of filling of the mold possess a trade-off relationship. Therefore, purpose of this work is to develop a simple novel hybrid approach that is cost effective and attempts to synthesize BMG based on Mg-Ca-Zn constituent. Synthesis of bioresorbable material was attempted by hybridizing friction stir processing (FSP) technique with gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). FSP was performed with Magnesium as base material and Calcium granules as reinforcement. After FSP, GTAW process was performed by using Zn as filler material. The added Ca and Zn were found to effectively intermix with the Mg matrix in the FSP and GTAW steps, respectively. Especially, a relatively invariable distribution of Ca phases was observed in the stirred microstructure after FSP. Finally, a wide bead consisting of mixed dendritic and columnar cast structure was obtained. The current work is expected to alleviate the physiological issues pertaining to orthopaedic fixations and decrease the need for secondary surgeries in geriatric fractures.

Additively manufactured metallic biomaterials

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) has led to an evolution in the design and fabrication of hard tissue substitutes, enabling personalized implants to address each patient's specific needs. In addition, internal pore architectures integrated within additively manufactured scaffolds, have provided an opportunity to further develop and engineer functional implants for better tissue integration, and long-term durability. In this review, the latest advances in different aspects of the design and manufacturing of additively manufactured metallic biomaterials are highlighted. After introducing metal AM processes, biocompatible metals adapted for integration with AM machines are presented. Then, we elaborate on the tools and approaches undertaken for the design of porous scaffold with engineered internal architecture including, topology optimization techniques, as well as unit cell patterns based on lattice networks, and triply periodic minimal surface. Here, the new possibilities brought by the functionally gradient porous structures to meet the conflicting scaffold design requirements are thoroughly discussed. Subsequently, the design constraints and physical characteristics of the additively manufactured constructs are reviewed in terms of input parameters such as design features and AM processing parameters. We assess the proposed applications of additively manufactured implants for regeneration of different tissue types and the efforts made towards their clinical translation. Finally, we conclude the review with the emerging directions and perspectives for further development of AM in the medical industry.

Computer-Aided Design and 3D Printing of Hemipelvic Endoprosthesis for Personalized Limb-Salvage Reconstruction after Periacetabular Tumor Resection

3D-printed hemipelvic endoprosthesis is an emerging solution for personalized limb-salvage reconstruction after periacetabular tumor resection. Further clinical studies are still required to report its surgical characteristics, outcomes, benefits and drawbacks. Sixteen consecutive patients underwent periacetabular tumor wide resection and pelvic reconstruction with a 3D-printed hemipelvic endoprosthesis from 2018 to 2021. The surgical characteristics and outcomes are described. The mean follow-up duration was 17.75 months (range, 6 to 46 months). Five patients underwent surgery for type I + II resection and reconstruction, seven for type II + III resection and reconstruction, three for type II resection and reconstruction, and one for type I + II + IV resection and reconstruction. The incidence of postoperative complication was 12.5% (2/16) for deep venous thrombosis (DVT), 12.5% (2/16) for pneumonia, and 12.5% (2/16) for would deep or superficial infection. During follow-up, two patients (12.5%) suffered hip dislocation and underwent revision surgery. CT demonstrated an obvious prosthetic porous structure–bone fusion after follow-up of at least 6 months. At the final follow-up, 12 lived with no evidence of disease while four lived with disease; no patients experienced pain; and 15 had independent ambulation, with a mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score of 85.8% (range, 26.7% to 100%). 3D-printed hemipelvic endoprosthesis facilitates wide resection of periacetabular tumor and limb-salvage reconstruction, thus resulting in good oncological and functional outcomes. The custom-made nature is able to well mimic the skeletal anatomy and microstructure and promote osseointegration. Perioperative complications and rehabilitation exercise still need to be stressed for this engineering technology-assisted major orthopedic surgery.

Current concepts and perspectives for articular cartilage regeneration

Articular cartilage injuries are common in the population. The increment in the elderly people and active life results in an increasing demand for new technologies and good outcomes to satisfy longer and healthier life expectancies. However, because of cartilage's low regenerative capacity, finding an efficacious treatment is still challenging for orthopedics.

Since the pioneering studies based on autologous cell transplantation, regenerative medicine has opened new approaches for cartilage lesion treatment.

Tissue engineering combines cells, biomaterials, and biological factors to regenerate damaged tissues, overcoming conventional therapeutic strategies. Cells synthesize matrix structural components, maintain tissue homeostasis by modulating metabolic, inflammatory, and immunologic pathways. Scaffolds are well acknowledged by clinicians in regenerative applications since they provide the appropriate environment for cells, can be easily implanted, reduce surgical morbidity, allow enhanced cell proliferation, maturation, and an efficient and complete integration with surrounding articular cartilage. Growth factors are molecules that facilitate tissue healing and regeneration by stimulating cell signal pathways.

To date, different cell sources and a wide range of natural and synthetic scaffolds have been used both in pre-clinical and clinical studies with the aim to find the suitable solution for recapitulating cartilage microenvironment and inducing the formation of a new tissue with the biochemical and mechanical properties of the native one. Here, we describe the current concepts for articular cartilage regeneration, highlighting the key actors of this process trying to identify the best perspectives.

Three dimensional modeling of atrioventricular valves provides predictive guides for optimal choice of prosthesis

Inaccuracies in intraoperative and preoperative measurements and estimations may lead to adverse outcomes such as patient-prosthesis mismatch. We aim to measure the relation between different dimensions of the atrioventricular valve complex in explanted porcine heart models. After a detailed physical morphology study, a cast of the explanted heart models was made using silicon-based materials. Digital models were obtained from three-dimensional scanning of the casts, showing the measured annulopapillary distance was 2.50 ± 0.18 cm, and 2.75 ± 0.36 cm for anterior and posterior papillary muscles of left ventricle, respectively. There was a significant linear association between the mitral annular circumference to anterior–posterior distance (p = 0.003, 95% CI 0.78–3.06), mitral annular circumference to interpapillary distance (p = 0.009, 95% CI 0.38–2.20), anterior–posterior distance to interpapillary distance (p = 0.02, 95% CI 0.10–0.78). Anterior–posterior distance appeared to be the most important predictor of mitral annular circumference compared to other measured distances. The mean length of the perpendicular distance of the tricuspid annulus, a, was 2.65 ± 0.54 cm; b was 1.77 ± 0.60 cm, and c was 3.06 ± 0.55 cm. Distance c was the most significant predictor for tricuspid annular circumference (p = 0.006, 95% CI 0.28–2.84). The anterior–posterior distance measured by three-dimensional scanning can safely be used to predict the annular circumference of the mitral valve. For the tricuspid valve, the strongest predictor for the circumference is the c-distance. Other measurements made from the positively correlated parameters may be extrapolated to their respective correlated parameters. They can aid surgeons in selecting the optimal prosthesis for the patients and improve procedural planning.

Additive Manufacturing in Orthopedics: A Review

Additive manufacturing is an advanced manufacturing manner that seems like the industrial revolution. It has the inborn benefit of producing complex formations, which are distinct from traditional machining technology. Its manufacturing strategy is flexible, including a wide range of materials, and its manufacturing cycle is short. Additive manufacturing techniques are progressively used in bone research and orthopedic operation as more innovative materials are developed. This Review lists the recent research results, analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of diverse three-dimensional printing strategies in orthopedics, and sums up the use of varying 3D printing strategies in surgical guides, surgical implants, surgical predictive models, and bone tissue engineering. Moreover, various postprocessing methods for additive manufacturing for orthopedics are described.

Unraveling of Advances in 3D-Printed Polymer-Based Bone Scaffolds

The repair of large-area irregular bone defects is one of the complex problems in orthopedic clinical treatment. The bone repair scaffolds currently studied include electrospun membrane, hydrogel, bone cement, 3D printed bone tissue scaffolds, etc., among which 3D printed polymer-based scaffolds Bone scaffolds are the most promising for clinical applications. This is because 3D printing is modeled based on the im-aging results of actual bone defects so that the printed scaffolds can perfectly fit the bone defect, and the printed components can be adjusted to promote Osteogenesis. This review introduces a variety of 3D printing technologies and bone healing processes, reviews previous studies on the characteristics of commonly used natural or synthetic polymers, and clinical applications of 3D printed bone tissue scaffolds, analyzes and elaborates the characteristics of ideal bone tissue scaffolds, from t he progress of 3D printing bone tissue scaffolds were summarized in many aspects. The challenges and potential prospects in this direction were discussed.

A survey of group decision making methods in Healthcare Industry 4.0: bibliometrics, applications, and directions

Healthcare Industry 4.0 refers to intelligent operation processes in the medical industry. With the development of information technology, large-scale group decision making (GDM), which allows a larger number of decision makers (DMs) from different places or sectors to participate in decision making, has been rapidly developed and applied in Healthcare Industry 4.0 to help to make decisions efficiently and smartly. To make full use of GDM methods to promote the developments of the medical industry, it is necessary to review the existing relevant achievements. Therefore, this paper conducts an overview to generate a comprehensive understanding of GDM in Healthcare Industry 4.0 and to identify future development directions. Bibliometric analyses are conducted in order to learn the development trends from published papers. The implementations of GDM methods in Healthcare Industry 4.0 are reviewed in accordance with the paradigm of the general GDM process, which includes information representation, dimension reduction, consensus reaching, and result elicitation. We also provide current research challenges and future directions regarding medical GDM. It is hoped that our study will be helpful for researchers in the field of GDM in Healthcare Industry 4.0.

Three-dimensional printing in ophthalmology and eye care: current applications and future developments

Three-dimensional (3D) printing uses a process of adding material in a layer-by-layer fashion to form the end product. This technology is advancing rapidly and is being increasingly utilized in the medical field as it becomes more accessible and cost-effective. It has an increasingly important role in ophthalmology and eyecare as its current and potential applications are extensive and slowly evolving. Three-dimensional printing represents an important method of manufacturing customized products such as orbital implants, ocular prostheses, ophthalmic models, surgical instruments, spectacles and other gadgets. Surgical planning, simulation, training and teaching have all benefitted from this technology. Advances in bioprinting seem to be the future direction of 3D printing with possibilities of printing out viable ocular tissues such as corneas and retinas in the future. It is expected that more ophthalmologists and other clinicians will use this technology in the near future.

3D Printing Applications for Radiology: An Overview

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies are part of additive manufacturing processes and are used to manufacture a 3D physical model from a digital computer-aided design model as per the required shape and size. These technologies are now used for advanced radiology applications by providing all information through 3D physical model. It provides innovation in radiology for clinical applications, treatment planning, procedural simulation, medical and patient education. Radiological advancements have been made in diagnosis and communication through medical digital imaging techniques like computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging. These images are converted into Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine in Standard Triangulate Language file format, easily printable in 3D printing technologies. This 3D model provides in-depth information about pathologic and anatomic states. It is useful to create new opportunities related to patient care. This article discusses the potential of 3D printing technology in radiology. The steps involved in 3D printing for radiology are discussed diagrammatically, and finally identified 12 significant applications of 3D printing technology for radiology with a brief description. A radiologist can incorporate this technology to fulfil different challenges such as training, planning, guidelines, and better communications.

Management of segmental bone defects of the upper limb: a scoping review with data synthesis to inform decision making

PURPOSE

Injuries to the long bones of the upper limb resulting in bone defects are rare but potentially devastating. Literature on the management of these injuries is limited to case reports and small case series. The aim of this study was to collate the most recent published work on the management of upper limb bone defects to assist with evidence based management when confronted with these cases.

METHODS

Following a preliminary search that confirmed the paucity of literature and lack of comparative trials, a scoping review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was conducted. A literature search of major electronic databases was conducted to identify journal articles relating to the management of upper limb long bone defects published between 2010 and 2020.

RESULTS

A total of 46 publications reporting on the management of 341 patients were reviewed. Structural autograft, bone transport, one-bone forearm and the induced membrane technique were employed in an almost equal number of cases. The implemented strategies showed similar outcomes but different indications and complication profiles were observed.

CONCLUSION

Contemporary techniques for the management of post-traumatic upper limb bone defects all produce good results. Specific advantages, disadvantages and complications for each modality should be considered when deciding on which management strategy to employ for each specific patient, anatomical location, and defect size.

Additive manufacturing pertaining to bone: Hopes, reality and future challenges for clinical applications

For the past 20 years, the democratization of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies has made many of us dream of: low cost, waste-free, and on-demand production of functional parts; fully customized tools; designs limited by imagination only, etc. As every patient is unique, the potential of AM for the medical field is thought to be considerable: AM would allow the division of dedicated patient-specific healthcare solutions entirely adapted to the patients' clinical needs. Pertinently, this review offers an extensive overview of bone-related clinical applications of AM and ongoing research trends, from 3D anatomical models for patient and student education to ephemeral structures supporting and promoting bone regeneration. Today, AM has undoubtably improved patient care and should facilitate many more improvements in the near future. However, despite extensive research, AM-based strategies for bone regeneration remain the only bone-related field without compelling clinical proof of concept to date. This may be due to a lack of understanding of the biological mechanisms guiding and promoting bone formation and due to the traditional top-down strategies devised to solve clinical issues. Indeed, the integrated holistic approach recommended for the design of regenerative systems (i.e., fixation systems and scaffolds) has remained at the conceptual state. Challenged by these issues, a slower but incremental research dynamic has occurred for the last few years, and recent progress suggests notable improvement in the years to come, with in view the development of safe, robust and standardized patient-specific clinical solutions for the regeneration of large bone defects.

Additive Manufacturing of Material Scaffolds for Bone Regeneration: Toward Application in the Clinics

Additive manufacturing (AM) allows the fabrication of customized bone scaffolds in terms of shape, pore size, material type and mechanical properties. Combined with the possibility to obtain a precise 3D image of the bone defects using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, it is now possible to manufacture implants for patient-specific bone regeneration. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of the different materials and AM techniques used for the fabrication of 3D-printed scaffolds in the field of bone tissue engineering. Their advantages and drawbacks are highlighted. For materials, specific criteria, were extracted from a literature study: biomimetism to native bone, mechanical properties, biodegradability, ability to be imaged (implantation and follow-up period), histological performances and sterilization process. AM techniques can be classified in three major categories: extrusion-based, powder-based and liquid-base. Their price, ease of use and space requirement are analyzed. Different combinations of materials/AM techniques appear to be the most relevant depending on the targeted clinical applications (implantation site, presence of mechanical constraints, temporary or permanent implant). Finally, some barriers impeding the translation to human clinics are identified, notably the sterilization process.

Additive Manufacturing Processes in Medical Applications

Additive manufacturing (AM, 3D printing) is used in many fields and different industries. In the medical and dental field, every patient is unique and, therefore, AM has significant potential in personalized and customized solutions. This review explores what additive manufacturing processes and materials are utilized in medical and dental applications, especially focusing on processes that are less commonly used. The processes are categorized in ISO/ASTM process classes: powder bed fusion, material extrusion, VAT photopolymerization, material jetting, binder jetting, sheet lamination and directed energy deposition combined with classification of medical applications of AM. Based on the findings, it seems that directed energy deposition is utilized rarely only in implants and sheet lamination rarely for medical models or phantoms. Powder bed fusion, material extrusion and VAT photopolymerization are utilized in all categories. Material jetting is not used for implants and biomanufacturing, and binder jetting is not utilized for tools, instruments and parts for medical devices. The most common materials are thermoplastics, photopolymers and metals such as titanium alloys. If standard terminology of AM would be followed, this would allow a more systematic review of the utilization of different AM processes. Current development in binder jetting would allow more possibilities in the future.

Design and Fabrication of Implants for Mandibular and Craniofacial Defects Using Different Medical-Additive Manufacturing Technologies: A Review

Mandibular and craniofacial bone defects can be caused by trauma, inflammatory disease, and benign or malignant tumors. Patients with bone defects suffer from problems with aesthetics, speech, and mastication, resulting in the need for implants. Conventional methods do not always provide satisfactory results. Most of the techniques proposed by researchers in the field of biomedical engineering use reverse engineering, computer-aided design (CAD), and additive manufacturing (AM), whose implementation can improve the outcomes of reconstructive surgeries. Several literature reviews on this particular topic have been conducted. However, they provide mostly overviews of AM technologies for general biomedical devices. This paper summarizes the use of existing medical AM techniques for the design and fabrication of mandibular and craniofacial implants, and then discusses their advantages and disadvantages in terms of accuracy, costs, energy consumption, and production rate. The aim of this study is to present a comparative review of the most commonly used AM technologies to aid researchers in selecting the best possible AM technologies for medical use. Studies included in this review contain CAD designs of mandibular or cranial implants, as well as their fabrication using AM technologies. Special attention is paid to PolyJet technology, because of its high accuracy, and economical efficiency.

3D printing applications in bone tissue engineering

PURPOSE

3D printing technology provides an excellent capability to manufacture customised implants for patients. Now, its applications are also successful in bone tissue engineering. This paper tries to provide a review of the applications of 3D printing in bone tissue engineering.

METHODS

Searching by keywords, from the Scopus database, to identify relevant latest research articles on 3D printing in bone tissue engineering, through "3D printing" "bone tissue engineering". This study makes a bibliometric analysis of the identified research articles and identified major applications and steps.

RESULTS

3D printing technology creates innovative development in bone tissue engineering. It involves the manufacturing of a scaffold with the combination of cells and materials. We identified a total number of 257 research articles through bibliometric analysis by searching through keywords "3D printing" "bone tissue engineering". This paper studies 3D printing technology and its significant contributions, benefits and steps used for bone tissue engineering. Result discusses the essential elements of bone tissue engineering and identifies its five significant advancements when 3D printing is used. Finally, ten useful applications of 3D printing in bone tissue engineering are identified and studied with a brief description.

CONCLUSION

In orthopaedics, bone defects create a high impact on the quality of life of the patient. It leads to a higher demand for bone substitutes for replacement of bone defect. Bone tissue engineering can help to replace a critical defect bone. 3D printing is a useful technology for the fabrication of scaffolds critical in bone tissue engineering. There are different binders which can create bone scaffolds with requisite mechanical strength. These binders are used to create excellent osteoconductive, bioactive scaffolds. Computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) help to provide images of specific defects of an individual patient, and these images can further be used for 3D printing the detective object. A bone defect caused by specific disease is sorted out by transplantation in clinical practice. Now a day bone tissue engineering opens a new option for this treatment of bone defects with the manufacturing of porous bone scaffold using 3D printing technology.

[Current concepts and new developments of 3D printing in trauma surgery]

The use of 3D printing (synonyms "rapid prototyping" and "additive manufacturing") has played an increasing role in the industry for many years and finds more and more interest and application in musculoskeletal surgery, especially orthopedic trauma surgery.In this article the current literature is systematically reviewed, presented and evaluated in a condensed and comprehensive way according to anatomical (upper and lower extremities) and functional aspects. As many of the publications analyzed were feasibility studies, the degree of evidence is low and methodological weaknesses are obvious and numerous; however, this pioneering work is extremely stimulating and important for further development because the technical, medical and economic potential of this technology is huge and interesting for all those involved in the treatment of musculoskeletal problems.

Enablers, Barriers, and Critical Success Factors for Effective Adoption of Color-Jet 3D Printing Technology

Color-jet 3D printing (CJP) technology-based machines are now being developed, and there is a need to identify the successful adoption of this technology for additive manufacturing (AM). Extensive literature review complemented with experts’ advice utilized systematically helped in the identification of 12 critical factors for the effective adoption of color-jet printing technology. A hierarchical structural model is developed using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and analyzed using Matriced Impacts Croise’s Multiplication Appliquée a UN Classement (MICMAC). Identified software and the machine cost are primary drivers for this color-jet 3D printing machines (technology). The value of this technology is to provide the product at a lower cost and give useful applications in the area of medical, engineering and concept building. There is a need for developing better quality core material and post-processing material, further supported by enabling machine hardware and software. Accuracy and color texture of the part produced are essential to provide a technological advantage over existing technologies. Post-processing assists in a big way in imparting necessary properties to the part produced. Presently, the infiltrate/post-processing materials are limited, and for large-scale acceptability, one needs extensive multidisciplinary research and development. This research provides a structural model toward the adoption of color-jet 3D printing technology, which can also help users in evaluating this technology in broader AM framework.

Current status and applications of additive manufacturing in dentistry: A literature-based review

Objective

To study the current status and applications of additive manufacturing (AM) in dentistry along with various technologies, benefits and future scope.

Methods

A significant number of relevant research papers on the additive manufacturing application in dentistry are identified through Scopus and studied using bibliometric analysis that shows an increasing trend of research in this field. This paper briefly describes various types of AM technologies with their accuracy, pros and cons along with different dental materials. Paper also discusses various benefits of AM in dentistry and steps used to create 3D printed dental model using this technology. Further, ten major AM applications in dentistry are identified along with primary references and objectives.

Results

Additive manufacturing is an innovative technique moving towards the customised production of dental implants and other dental tools using computer-aided design (CAD) data. This technology is used to manufacture elaborate dental crowns, bridges, orthodontic braces and can also various other models, devices and instruments with lesser time and cost. With the help of this disruptive innovation, dental implants are fabricated accurately as per patient data captured by the dental 3D scanner. The application of this technology is also being explored for the precise manufacturing of removal prosthetics, aligners, surgical templates for implants and produce models that for the planning of treatment and preoperative positioning of the jaws.

Additive manufacturing applications in cardiology: A review

BACKGROUND

Additive manufacturing (AM) has emerged as a serious planning, strategy, and education tool in cardiovascular medicine. This review describes and illustrates the application, development and associated limitation of additive manufacturing in the field of cardiology by studying research papers on AM in medicine/cardiology.

METHODS

Relevant research papers till August 2018 were identified through Scopus and examined for strength, benefits, limitation, contribution and future potential of AM. With the help of the existing literature & bibliometric analysis, different applications of AM in cardiology are investigated.

RESULTS

AM creates an accurate three-dimensional anatomical model to explain, understand and prepare for complex medical procedures. A prior study of patient's 3D heart model can help doctors understand the anatomy of the individual patient, which may also be used create training modules for institutions and surgeons for medical training.

CONCLUSION

AM has the potential to be of immense help to the cardiologists and cardiac surgeons for intervention and surgical planning, monitoring and analysis. Additive manufacturing creates a 3D model of the heart of a specific patient in lesser time and cost. This technology is used to create and analyse 3D model before starting actual surgery on the patient. It can improve the treatment outcomes for patients, besides saving their lives. Paper summarised additive manufacturing applications particularly in the area of cardiology, especially manufacturing of a patient-specific artificial heart or its component. Model printed by this technology reduces risk, improves the quality of diagnosis and preoperative planning and also enhanced team communication. In cardiology, patient data of heart varies from patient to patient, so AM technologies efficiently produce 3D models, through converting the predesigned virtual model into a tangible object. Companies explore additive manufacturing for commercial medical applications.

Additive manufacturing technique-designed metallic porous implants for clinical application in orthopedics

Traditional metallic scaffold prostheses, as vastly applied implants in clinical orthopedic operations, have achieved great success in rebuilding limb function. However, mismatch of bone defects and additional coating requirements limit the long-term survival of traditional prostheses. Recently, additive manufacturing (AM) has opened up unprecedented possibilities for producing complicated structures in prosthesis shapes and microporous surface designs of customized prostheses, which can solve the drawback of traditional prostheses mentioned above. This review presents the most commonly used metallic additive manufacturing techniques, the microporous structure design of metallic scaffolds, and novel applications of customized prostheses in the orthopedic field. Challenges and future perspectives on AM fabricated scaffolds are also summarized.