Healthcare Applications of 3D Printing in Human Implants: A Review

3D printing also known as additive manufacturing technology has been the major development in every field of science in the past few decades. 3D printing has shown its utility in medical science tremendously. It prints objects from a digital template to a real 3-dimensional physical object. The printing is done layer by layer using plastic, nylon, and bioactive materials. It has been found to be a quick and cost effective solution in the field of implants. The applications of 3D printing are rapidly ascendant. 3D printed ventilator parts, PPE and respirators are of great significance during COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we attempt to review and investigate the major applications of 3D printing in human implants and its development. The focus of this paper is on recent advancements in different types of 3D printed implants and its gain in health care sector. The review also reports the future and challenges that the technology of 3D printing for human implants is facing.