Transforming Healthcare: A Review of Additive Manufacturing Applications in the Healthcare Sector

Additive Manufacturing (AM) holds transformative potential in revolutionizing healthcare by facilitating the creation of patient-specific medical devices and apparatus. This review explores the diverse applications of AM within the healthcare sector, focusing on machines with which AM techniques can be implemented. The keywords “additive manufacturing," “healthcare sector," and “medical additive manufacturing” were searched using prominent databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected for this study. Beginning with an overview of fundamental principles and technologies like stereolithography, selective laser sintering, and fused deposition modeling, along with the machines, this study delves into the fabrication of patient-specific implants, prosthetics, anatomical models, surgical guides, and drug delivery systems. Highlighting AM's ability to produce complex geometries and customize medical devices according to individual patient anatomy, case studies illustrate successful implementations, improving patient outcomes and surgical efficiency. Challenges such as regulatory hurdles and material biocompatibility are addressed alongside ongoing research efforts to enhance AM's efficacy. This study also discusses key trends and future directions, including integrating advanced materials, bioprinting techniques, and artificial intelligence to drive innovation in patient-centric healthcare solutions. This focused exploration underscores AM's potential in advancing healthcare apparatus for improved patient care.