3D printing keeps showing off

More good news continues to roll out about the 3D printing market and it’s applications within healthcare.

Analysts from Research and Markets issued a pair of recent reports on the subject, the first taking a global look at the market. While other industries, notably aerospace and the auto industry, have more mature 3D printing initiatives, use of the technology is set to see its highest growth within the medical and healthcare industry over the next five years, according to Research and Markets.

A second report, focusing solely on 3D printed prosthetics, stated revenues from those applications are expected to reach $310 million by 2020.

The broader 3D printing market is strong and growing as well, according to Transparency Market Research. Overall, through 2019, the 3D printing market was pegged to exhibit a 16.8 percent compound annual growth rate.

Dollar signs and growth rates are one thing, but the individual stories of 3D printing in healthcare are fascinating on their own. Take this case out of Seattle. A patient treated at Swedish Medical Center was experiencing multiple splenic artery aneurysms and many said it would be “impossible” to save it.

Michael Itagaki, MD, from the Department of Interventional Radiology at Swedish Medical, however, was able to do just that. Using a 3D printed model of the patients anatomy, Itagaki was able to practice the procedure and refer to the model during surgery as he successfully placed coils cause a clot and reduce pressure.

There are many such stories of 3D printing making the impossible a reality. If you know of a facility doing some innovative work with 3D printing, let us know!

-Evan Godt
Editorial Director – Digital
Editor – Health Imaging