3D PRINTING APPLICATIONS IN THE BIOMEDICAL INDUSTRY

Technological developments have triggered a transformation in industry, giving rise to the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0). This transformation has brought concepts such as rapid production, innovation, sustainability, digitalisation, personalisation and smart manufacturing to the forefront of many sectors around the world. 3D printing technologies are now a staple in various industries, including biomedical, due to their unparalleled personalised design options, production flexibility and faster product commercialisation using a wide range of materials. This technology has clearly surpassed traditional methods in biomedical applications. It has made it possible to produce complex objects such as implants, prostheses, tissues and organs that are difficult or impossible to produce traditionally. In addition, it has become possible to produce precise microstructures in this field in a cost-effective and personalised manner. This study presents research into 3D printing technologies that are expected to be indispensable in the future for tissue regeneration, therapeutic applications, medical device manufacturing and surgical planning in both research and clinical settings. The focus is on materials that have been and are being developed for biomedical applications, highlighting 3D printing processes that address challenging and limiting conditions and the improvements needed to address these conditions.