Skip to main content
View expanded cover

3D Printing in Biomedical Engineering pp 23–41Cite as

Fundamentals of 3D Printing and Its Applications in Biomedical Engineering

  • 796 Accesses

Part of the Materials Horizons: From Nature to Nanomaterials book series (MHFNN)

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an additive manufacturing technique, which is based on the addition of layers of material to each other according to 3D geometric data, allowing for the rapid transition of the designed parts to the production phase. In the 3D printing technique, no material is wasted, and no mold is required as in other traditional manufacturing methods such as plastic injection, casting, and machining. In this method, free-form parts can be practically produced, and the production of a new part having different geometries can be carried out quickly. Three-dimensional printing is much more suitable for the production of prototypes and custom-made designs than serial production. The variety of materials used in the 3D printer technology is continuously increasing. Today, plastic, metal, composite, and organic materials can be used in 3D printing. Development of the 3D technology enables us to produce parts with different design features. The most common of these technologies are known as fused deposition modeling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), and selective laser sintering (SLS). In general, they are all based on the principle of additive layer manufacturing. Three-dimensional printing is also ideal for the creation of complex anatomical models and the production of biomedical devices with free-form geometry. Three-dimensional printers can save cost and time and enable clinical trial devices to be produced and used more frequently. Considering that the production of some of the medical devices is quite challenging due to the small size and complicated structure, the effectiveness of the 3D printing method becomes much more visible. In this chapter, different 3D printing methods and related materials used in the biomedical field are explained and critical examples from recent scientific studies are given. In addition, a number of practical works including 3D printing in biomedical engineering have been reviewed and a preliminary assessment of the use of 3D printers in future biomedical studies has been made.

Keywords

  • 3D printer
  • 3D printing technologies
  • 3D printing methods
  • Biomedical devices
  • Maxillofacial surgery
  • Orthopedic surgery
  • Human arm prosthetics
  • Additive manufacturing

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-981-15-5424-7_2
  • Chapter length: 19 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-981-15-5424-7
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
Fig. 2.1
Fig. 2.2
Fig. 2.3

[This figure is reprinted from J Artif Organs. (2009; 12: 200–205) with permission] [47]

Fig. 2.4
Fig. 2.5

[This figure is reprinted from Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. (Part H). (1998; 212: 383–393) with permission] [54]

Fig. 2.6

[This figure is reprinted from Senior Theses 255, 2018 with permission] [62]

References

  1. Mohammed MI, Fitzpatrick AP, Gibson I (2017) Customised design of a patient specific 3D printed whole mandible implant. KnE Eng 2(2):104–111

    Google Scholar 

  2. Dombroski CE, Balsdon ME, Froats A (2014) The use of a low cost 3D scanning and printing tool in the manufacture of custom-made foot orthoses: a preliminary study. BMC Res Notes 7(1):443

    Google Scholar 

  3. Dawood A, Marti BM, Sauret-Jackson V, Darwood A (2015) 3D printing in dentistry. Br Dent J 219(11):521

    Google Scholar 

  4. Malik HH, Darwood AR, Shaunak S, Kulatilake P, Abdulrahman A, Mulki O, Baskaradas A (2015) Three-dimensional printing in surgery: a review of current surgical applications. J Surg Res 199(2):512–522

    Google Scholar 

  5. Khan FA, Narasimhan K, Swathi C, Mustak S, Mustafa G, Ahmad MZ, Akhter S (2019) 3D printing technology in customized drug delivery system: current state of the art, prospective and the challenges. Curr Pharm Des 561:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  6. Surmen K, Ortes F, Arslan YZ (2016) Design and production of subject specific insole using reverse engineering and 3D printing technology. Int J Eng Sci Invent 5(12):11–15

    Google Scholar 

  7. Damianou C, Giannakou M, Yiallouras C, Menikou G (2018) The role of three-dimensional printing in magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound surgery. Digit Med 4:1–22

    Google Scholar 

  8. Canzi P, Marconi S, Manfrin M et al (2018) From CT scanning to 3D printing technology: a new method for the preoperative planning of a transcutaneous bone-conduction hearing device. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital 38:251–256

    Google Scholar 

  9. Zhang B, Luo Y, Ma L et al (2018) 3D bioprinting: an emerging technology full of opportunities and challenges. Bio-Des Manuf 1–12

    Google Scholar 

  10. Levato R, Visser J, Planell JA, Engel E, Malda J, Mateos-Timoneda MA (2014) Biofabrication of tissue constructs by 3D bioprinting of cell-laden microcarriers. Biofabrication 6(3):035020

    Google Scholar 

  11. Morris S (2018) Future of 3D printing: How 3D bioprinting technology can revolutionize healthcare? Birth Defects Res 110(13):1098–1101

    Google Scholar 

  12. Han Y, Wang F, Wang H, Jiao X, Chen D (2018) High-strength boehmite-acrylate composites for 3D printing: reinforced filler-matrix interactions. Compos Sci Technol 154:104–109

    Google Scholar 

  13. Eckel ZC, Zhou C, Martin JH, Jacobsen AJ, Carter WB, Schaedler TA (2016) Additive manufacturing of polymer-derived ceramics. Science 351:58–62

    Google Scholar 

  14. Garcia-Gonzalez D, Garzon-Hernandez S, Arias A (2018) A new constitutive model for polymeric matrices: application to biomedical materials. Compos B Eng 139:117–129

    Google Scholar 

  15. Suntornnond R, An J, Chua CK (2017) Bioprinting of thermoresponsive hydrogels for next generation tissue engineering: a review. Macromol Mater Eng 302:1600266

    Google Scholar 

  16. Martin JH, Yahata BD, Hundley JM, Mayer JA, Schaedler TA, Pollock TM (2017) 3D printing of high-strength aluminium alloys. Nature 549(7672):365

    Google Scholar 

  17. Cantrell JT, Rohde S, Damiani D, Gurnani R, DiSandro L, Anton J, Ifju PG (2017) Experimental characterization of the mechanical properties of 3D-printed ABS and polycarbonate parts. Rapid Prototyping J 23(4):811–824

    Google Scholar 

  18. Ho CMB, Mishra A, Lin PTP, Ng SH, Yeong WY, Kim YJ, Yoon YJ (2017) 3D printed polycaprolactone carbon nanotube composite scaffolds for cardiac tissue engineering. Macromol Biosci 17(4):1600250

    Google Scholar 

  19. Bas O, D’Angella D, Baldwin JG, Castro NJ, Wunner FM, Saidy NT, Hutmacher DW (2017) An integrated design, material, and fabrication platform for engineering biomechanically and biologically functional soft tissues. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 9(35):29430–29437

    Google Scholar 

  20. Asaoka K, Kuwayama N, Okuno O, Miura I (1985) Mechanical properties and biomechanical compatibility of porous titanium for dental implants. J Biomed Mater Res 19:699–713

    Google Scholar 

  21. Bandyopadhyay A, Bose S, Das S (2015) 3D printing of biomaterials. MRS Bull 40(2):108–115

    Google Scholar 

  22. Hull CW (1986) Apparatus for production of three-dimensional objects by stereolithography, 11 Mar. U.S. Patent No. 4,575,330

    Google Scholar 

  23. Chaput C, Chartier T (2007) Fabrication of ceramics by stereolithography. RTejournal-Forum für Rapid Technologie 4(1)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hornbeck LJ (1987) Spatial light modulator and method, 5 May. U.S. Patent No. 4,662,746

    Google Scholar 

  25. Hanssen J, Moe ZH, Tan D, Chien OY (2013) Rapid prototyping in manufacturing. In: Handbook of manufacturing engineering and technology, pp 1–16

    Google Scholar 

  26. Adamidis O, Alber S, Anastasopoulos I (2018) Investigation into 3D printing of granular media. In: Physical modelling in geotechnics, Volume 1: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Physical Modelling in Geotechnics (ICPMG 2018), 17–20 July 2018. CRC Press, London, United Kingdom

    Google Scholar 

  27. Masood SH (2014) Advances in fused deposition modeling. In: Comprehensive materials processing, pp 69–91

    Google Scholar 

  28. Crump SS (1992) Apparatus and method for creating three-dimensional objects, 9 June. U.S. Patent No. 5,121,329

    Google Scholar 

  29. Beaman JJ, Carl RD (1990) Selective laser sintering with assisted powder handling, 3 July. U.S. Patent No. 4,938,816

    Google Scholar 

  30. Cansiz E, Arslan YZ, Turan F, Atalay B (2014) Computer-assisted design of patient-specific sagittal split osteotomy guide and soft tissue retractor. J Med Biol Eng 34(4):363–367

    Google Scholar 

  31. Agarwala M, Bourell D, Beaman J, Marcus H, Barlow J (1995) Direct selective laser sintering of metals. Rapid Prototyping J 1(1):26–36

    Google Scholar 

  32. Meiners W, Wissenbach K, Gasser A (2001) Selective laser sintering at melting temperature, 10 Apr. U.S. Patent No. 6,215,093

    Google Scholar 

  33. Chua CK, Leong, KF (2014) 3D printing and additive manufacturing: principles and applications (with companion media pack) of rapid prototyping, 4th edn. World Scientific Publishing Company

    Google Scholar 

  34. Cui X, Boland T, DD’Lima D, Lotz M (2012) Thermal inkjet printing in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Recent Pat Drug Deliv Formulation 6(2):149–155

    Google Scholar 

  35. Panwar A, Tan LP (2016) Current status of bioinks for micro-extrusion-based 3D bioprinting. Molecules 21(6):685

    Google Scholar 

  36. Guillotin B et al (2010) Laser assisted bioprinting of engineered tissue with high cell density and microscale organization. Biomaterials 31(28):7250–7256

    Google Scholar 

  37. Rashidi H, Hay DC (2016) Generation and application of 3D culture systems in human drug discovery and medicine. Stem Cells Toxicol Med 265–287

    Google Scholar 

  38. Murphy SV, Atala A (2014) 3D bioprinting of tissues and organs. Nat Biotechnol 32:773–785

    Google Scholar 

  39. Mavroidis C, Ranky RG, Sivak ML, Patritti BL, Dipisa J, Caddle A, Gilhooly K, Govoni L, Sivak S, Lancia M (2011) Patient specific ankle-foot orthoses using rapid prototyping. J Neuroeng Rehabil 8(1):1–11

    Google Scholar 

  40. Li H, Qu X, Mao Y, Dai K, Zhu Z (2015) Custom acetabular cages offer stable fixation and improved hip scores for revision THA with severe bone defects. Clin Orthop Relat Res 473(3):731–740

    Google Scholar 

  41. Boileau P, Watkinson DJ, Hatzidakis AM, Balg F (2005) Grammont reverse prosthesis: design, rationale, and biomechanics. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 14(1):147–161

    Google Scholar 

  42. Alhnan MA, Okwuosa TC, Sadia M, Wan K-W, Ahmed W, Arafat B (2016) Emergence of 3D printed dosage forms: opportunities and challenges. Pharm Res 33(8):1817–1832

    Google Scholar 

  43. McGurk M, Amis A, Potamianos P, Goodger N (1997) Rapid prototyping techniques for anatomical modelling in medicine. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 79:169–174

    Google Scholar 

  44. Ortes F, Cansiz E, Arslan YZ (2019) Computer-aided design of subject-specific dental instruments for preoperative virtual planning in orthognathic surgery. In: Biomanufacturing. Springer, Cham, pp 89–102

    Google Scholar 

  45. Cansiz E, Turan F, Arslan YZ (2016) Computer-aided design and manufacturing of a novel maxillofacial surgery instrument: application in the sagittal split osteotomy. J Med Devices 10(4):044505

    Google Scholar 

  46. Han SW, Wang ZY, Hu QG, Han W (2014) Combined use of an anterolateral thigh lap and rapid prototype modeling to reconstruct maxillary oncologic resections and midface defects. J Cranio-Maxillofac Surg 25(4):1147–1149

    Google Scholar 

  47. Saijo H, Igawa K, Kanno Y et al (2009) Maxillofacial reconstruction using custom-made artificial bones fabricated by inkjet printing technology. J Artif Organs 12:200–205

    Google Scholar 

  48. Sun Y, Luebbers HT, Agbaje JO et al (2013) Accuracy of upper jaw positioning with intermediate splint fabrication after virtual planning in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery. J Craniofac Surg 24(6):1871–1876

    Google Scholar 

  49. Wang G, Li J, Khadka A et al (2012) CAD/CAM and rapid prototyped titanium for reconstruction of ramus defect and condylar fracture caused by mandibular reduction. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 113(3):356–361

    Google Scholar 

  50. Azuma M, Yanagawa T, Ishibashi-Kanno N, Uchida F, Ito T, Yamagata K et al (2014) Mandibular reconstruction using plates prebent to fit rapid prototyping 3-dimensional printing models ameliorates contour deformity. Head Face Med 10:45

    Google Scholar 

  51. Park SW, Choi JW, Koh KS, Oh TS (2015) Mirror-imaged rapid prototype skull model and pre-molded synthetic scaffold to achieve optimal orbital cavity reconstruction. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 73(8):1540–1553

    Google Scholar 

  52. Mehra P, Miner J, D’Innocenzo R et al (2011) Use of 3-D stereolithographic models in oral and maxillofacial surgery. J Maxillofac Oral Surg 10(1):6–13

    Google Scholar 

  53. Popescu D, Laptoiu D (2016) Rapid prototyping for patient-specific surgical orthopaedics guides: a systematic literature review. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part H J Eng Med 230(6):495–515

    Google Scholar 

  54. Potamianos P, Amis AA, Forester AJ, McGurk M, Bircher M (1998) Rapid prototyping for orthopaedic surgery. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part H 212:383–393

    Google Scholar 

  55. Jeong HS, Park KJ, Kil KM et al (2014) Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis using 3D printing for shaft fractures of clavicles: technical note. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 134:1551–1555

    Google Scholar 

  56. Chareancholvanich K, Narkbunnam R, Pornrattanamaneewong C (2013) A prospective randomised controlled study of patient-specific cutting guides compared with conventional instrumentation in total knee replacement. Bone Joint J 95:354–359

    Google Scholar 

  57. Hananouchi T, Saito M, Koyama T, Hagio K, Murase T, Sugano N et al (2009) Tailor-made surgical guide based on rapid prototyping technique for cup insertion in total hip arthroplasty. Int J Med Robot 5(2):164–169

    Google Scholar 

  58. Fuller SM, Butz DR, Vevang CB, Makhlouf MV (2014) Application of 3-dimensional printing in hand surgery for production of a novel bone reduction clamp. J Hand Surg Am 39:1840–1845

    Google Scholar 

  59. Dollar AM, Howe RD (2006) A robust compliant grasper via shape deposition manufacturing. IEEE/ASME Trans Mechatron 11:154–161

    Google Scholar 

  60. Hofmann M, Harris J, Hudson SE, Mankoff J (2016) Helping hands: requirements for a prototyping methodology for upper-limb prosthetics users. In: Proceedings of the 2016 CHI conference on human factors in computing systems (CHI ’16). ACM, New York, NY, USA, pp 1769–1780

    Google Scholar 

  61. Gafford J, Ding Y, Harris A, McKenna T, Polygerinos P, Holland D et al (2014) Shape deposition manufacturing of a soft, atraumatic, deployable surgical grasper. J Med Devices 8:030927

    Google Scholar 

  62. Hetherington AT (2018) Integration of a sensory driven model for hand grasp function in 3D printed prostheses. Senior theses, 255

    Google Scholar 

  63. Low JH, Ang MH, Yeow CH (2015) Customizable soft pneumatic finger actuators for hand orthotic and prosthetic applications. In: Proceedings of IEEE ICORR, Singapore, pp 380–385

    Google Scholar 

  64. Arjun A, Saharan L, Tadesse Y (2016) Design of a 3D printed hand prosthesis actuated by nylon 6-6 polymer based artificial muscles. In: IEEE international conference on automation science and engineering (CASE), pp 910–915

    Google Scholar 

  65. Zuniga J, Katsavelis D, Peck J, Stollberg J, Petrykowski M, Carson A, Fernandez C (2015) Cyborg beast: a low-cost 3d-printed prosthetic hand for children with upper-limb differences. BMC Res Notes 8(1):10

    Google Scholar 

  66. Ten Kate J, Smit G, Breedveld P (2017) 3D-printed upper limb prostheses: a review. Disabil Rehabil Assistive Technol 12(3):300–314

    Google Scholar 

  67. Kim H (2018) Market analysis and the future of sustainable design using 3D printing technology. Arch Des Res 31:23–35

    Google Scholar 

  68. Singh S, Singh G, Prakash C, Ramakrishna S (2020) Current status and future directions of fused filament fabrication. J Manuf Proc, 55: 288–306

    Google Scholar 

  69. Pandey A, Singh G, Singh S, Jha K, Prakash C (2020) 3D printed biodegradable functional temperature-stimuli shape memory polymer for customized scaffoldings. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 103781

    Google Scholar 

  70. Kim M-K et al (2018) Ink composition for 3D printing support and 3D printing manufacturing method using the same. U.S. Patent Application No. 15/745, 736

    Google Scholar 

  71. Swanson WJ, Mannella DF, Schloesser RG. Support structure removal system. U.S. Patent Application No. 10/016, 945

    Google Scholar 

  72. Singh S, Singh M, Prakash C, Gupta MK, Mia M, Singh R (2019) Optimization and reliability analysis to improve surface quality and mechanical characteristics of heat-treated fused filament fabricated parts. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 1–16

    Google Scholar 

  73. Singh S, Prakash C, Ramakrishna S (2019) 3D printing of polyether-ether-ketone for biomedical applications. Eur Polym J 114:234–248

    Google Scholar 

  74. Singh S, Singh N, Gupta M, Prakash C, Singh R (2019) Mechanical feasibility of ABS/HIPS-based multi-material structures primed by low-cost polymer printer. Rapid Prototyping J 25(1):152–161

    Google Scholar 

  75. Poomathi N, Singh S, Prakash C, Patil R, Perumal PT, Barathi VA, Balasubramanian KK, Ramakrishna S, Maheshwari NU (2018) Bioprinting in ophthalmology: current advances and future pathways. Rapid Prototyping J 1–20

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Automotive Technology, Vocational School of Technical Sciences, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Hadimkoy, Istanbul, 34555, Turkey

    Hasan Kemal Surmen

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, Istanbul, 34320, Turkey

    Faruk Ortes & Yunus Ziya Arslan

Authors
  1. Hasan Kemal Surmen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Faruk Ortes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yunus Ziya Arslan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yunus Ziya Arslan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    Dr. Sunpreet Singh

  2. School of Mechanical Engineering, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India

    Dr. Chander Prakash

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technical Teachers Training & Research, Chandigarh, India

    Prof. Rupinder Singh

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Surmen, H.K., Ortes, F., Arslan, Y.Z. (2020). Fundamentals of 3D Printing and Its Applications in Biomedical Engineering. In: Singh, S., Prakash, C., Singh, R. (eds) 3D Printing in Biomedical Engineering. Materials Horizons: From Nature to Nanomaterials. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-5424-7_2

Download citation