Applicability of additive manufacturing in traditional medical processes

Abstract

Additive manufacturing technology can be applied in several economic sectors, one of which is related to healthcare. Traditional medicine adopts imaging tests such as CT scans and MRIs to diagnose patients for diseases, injuries, and problems with internal organs. Additive manufacturing has been more widely used in production lines in various sectors, with the purpose of generating products equivalent to the products of normal production, but with lower operating costs, great customization and shorter time. As these are characteristics that attribute competitive advantage, that is, as the characteristics of low costs, high reliability, customization and shorter time represent the consumer's search nowadays, additive manufacturing becomes attractive to several companies. Specifically in the area of health, this work is characterized by an exploratory research that confirms that the use of 3D printing in the production of prostheses, especially craniofacial prostheses, is an aspect to be taken into consideration, since, in addition to the compatibility of diagnostic tests, such as computed tomography, and the possibility of using an extremely efficient biomaterial in bone regeneration,  The advantages are numerous. The patient will be able to have access to a cheaper prosthesis, fully customized for their case and that uses materials that promote the reduction of infections and rejections by the body, since they are organic compounds already existing in the body. In this way, in addition to customer satisfaction with the product, the means of production in the area of medicine can be changed, in order to produce more accessible parts, which can be purchased in most cases, and can even be used in the Unified Health System (SUS).

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2023.007-085