Additive manufacturing applications in medical cases: A literature based review

Background: A significant number of the research paper on Medical cases using Additive manufacturing studied. Different applications of additive manufacturing technologies in the medical area analysed for providing the state of the art and direction of the development. The aim of work: To illustrate the Additive Manufacturing technology as being used in medical and its benefits along-with contemporary and future applications. Materials and methods: Literature Review based study on Additive Manufacturing that are helpful in various ways to address medical problems along with bibliometric analysis been done. Result: Briefly described the review of forty primary applications of AM as used for medical purposes along with their significant achievement. Process chain development in the application of AM is identified and tabulated for every process chain member, its achievement and limitations for various references. There are five criteria which one can achieve through medical model when made through AM technology. To support the achievements and limitations of every criterion proper references are provided. The ongoing research is also classified according to the application of AM in medical with criteria, achievement and references. Eight major medical areas where AM is implemented have been identified along with primary references, objectives and advantages. Conclusion: Paper deals with the literature review of the Medical application of Additive Manufacturing and its future. Medical models which are customised and sourced from data of an individual patient, which vary from patient to patient can well be modified and printed. Medical AM involves resources of human from the field of reverse engineering, medicine and biomaterial, design and manufacturing of bones, implants, etc. Additive Manufacturing can help solve medical problems with extensive benefit to humanity. (C) 2017 Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.