3D-printing to disrupt medical implants industry

New Delhi: Growth trajectory of the 3D printing industry has remained excellent in the past decade. And the implementation of 3D printing technology in healthcare has invited the most exciting avenues in the world of medicine. Medical technology which is often expensive at the time of market entry becomes cheaper over time. But 3D printing in medicine has started to revolutionize the field, especially with the rapidly declining cost of 3D printing and increased accessibility of the technology.

The advent of 3D-printed tablets has created new avenues for 3D printing technology, enhancing its application in the pharmaceutical industry. A number of collaborations are being witnessed between leading market players and academic institutions across the globe, investing extensively in research and development activities, which in turn is further influencing the market growth. However, factors such as lack of structured regulatory framework, high prices of printers, unfavorable reimbursement policies, limited technical expertise, biocompatibility issues pertaining to 3D-printed medical devices, and concerns related to copyright and patent infringement are expected to hinder the market growth in the near future.

A new report by Fact.MR projects the global 3D-printing medical devices market to register a staggering expansion throughout the forecast period 2017 to 2022. Global sales of 3D-printing medical devices are poised to account for revenues over US$ 1,700 Mn by 2022-end.

It is the technology of 3D-printing which makes the 3D-printed solutions cost-effective. Albeit considerably costlier than existing implant solutions in healthcare, the precision of end-product is what ensures the success of the 3D-printing medical devices. As designed from the thoroughly analyzed digital model, 3D implants leave no room for error as compared to the traditional techniques which usually require additional processing adding waste and extraction costs.

With enhanced precision, 3D printed medical implants such as orthopedic and dental implants including those that are difficult-to-treat have witnessed an impressive success rate in the past half of the decade. In line with this, Fact.MR’s market study has estimated sales of medical implant segment to reach over US$ 500 million in 2017 and will continue to dominate the market with over two-fold sales.

Customization like any other industry is the current trend in medical implants market. Advances in 3D printers, materials and other technology have enabled manufacturers to design and deliver custom-made, high-resolution 3D-printed implants on patient demand. In Orthodontics, digital dentistry based on the 3D system has transformed dentists’ service to patients. Starting from designing common dental casting to metal bridges, dental crowns, and other dental implants,

3D printing has made dental implant surgeries better, faster, and cost-effective.
Minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgeries are enhancing the efficiency of 3D printed medical implant procedures. With the increasing adoption of robotics in 3D printed implant procedures, rising FDA approvals, and high patient outcomes, the purported growth of the 3D-printing medical devices market at an impressive CAGR of 14.4 percent during 2017 – 2022 seems most credible.

Next generation of medical 3D printing is set to venture into a combination of 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering to revolutionize healthcare in the field of organ transplantation.

*Note: The insights presented here are from a research study on 3D-Printing Medical Devices Market by Fact.MR.