Advanced Nanomaterials in Medical 3D Printing

Small Methods. 2024 Mar;8(3):e2301121. doi: 10.1002/smtd.202301121. Epub 2023 Nov 27.

Abstract

3D printing is now recognized as a significant tool for medical research and clinical practice, leading to the emergence of medical 3D printing technology. It is essential to improve the properties of 3D-printed products to meet the demand for medical use. The core of generating qualified 3D printing products is to develop advanced materials and processes. Taking advantage of nanomaterials with tunable and distinct physical, chemical, and biological properties, integrating nanotechnology into 3D printing creates new opportunities for advancing medical 3D printing field. Recently, some attempts are made to improve medical 3D printing through nanotechnology, providing new insights into developing advanced medical 3D printing technology. With high-resolution 3D printing technology, nano-structures can be directly fabricated for medical applications. Incorporating nanomaterials into the 3D printing material system can improve the properties of the 3D-printed medical products. At the same time, nanomaterials can be used to expand novel medical 3D printing technologies. This review introduced the strategies and progresses of improving medical 3D printing through nanotechnology and discussed challenges in clinical translation.

Keywords: 3D printing; clinical translation; medical 3D printing; medical products; nanomaterials.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Nanostructures* / therapeutic use
  • Nanotechnology
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional*