3D printing is the future

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Visitors relax on massage chairs at the Building Healthcare Middleeast at Dubai International Convention Centre.

Dubai - Impressive technology even contributing to gastronomy.

Kelly Clarke

Published: Wed 1 Jun 2016, 5:23 PM

Last updated: Wed 1 Jun 2016, 6:40 PM

The future of healthcare - and the world in general for that matter - will largely depend on the future of 3D printing, says Dr Amin Hussain Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Policy and Licence Sector, Ministry of Health.

During his keynote speech on the opening day of the 'Building Healthcare Middle East' exhibition in Dubai, Al Amiri said the new technology will help "restructure economies."

"From building houses and manufacturing clothes, to the food we eat or the organs in our bodies, 3D printing is the perfect example of innovation today."

Yes, you heard right, today's impressive technology is even contributing to gastronomy.

Opportunities and challenges in medical 3D printing:
Models for surgical planning
Pros:
Flexibility means manufacturing of the 3D models can be done by external companies or in-house services
Facilitates information of the patient
Cons:
Publications describe only single or a few cases up to now therefore value of the technology still not scientifically validated - but it is rather obvious
Many other applications in nearly all medical disciplines
Costs so far usually not refundable by the health insurance system
Patient specific implants
Pros:
Already established in trauma, orthopaedic, maxillofacial and neuro-surgery
Better fit to the individual anatomical situation
Significantly more expensive than use of conventional implants - however costs mostly refundable by insurers if well-founded
Cons:
Much time needed for planning of the surgery and implant manufacturing - but mostly less time needed for the surgery itself
No correction/adaption possible during surgery
Regulations/approval process still rather unclear, mainly due to open quality control issues

The real benefit of 3D printing is about taking a new idea, and bringing it to market in a way that traditional manufacturing just cannot recreate.

And with some 3D printing techniques taking just 10 per cent of the time taken to bring a product to life compared to traditional methods, it will also redefine productivity here.

Referencing the recent 'Dubai 3D Printing Strategy', which was laid down by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed, Vice-President and Prime Miniater of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to use technology for the service of humanity and promote the status of the UAE and Dubai as a leading hub of 3D printing technology by the year 2030, Al Amiri referred to the initiatives in three key sectors.

"There are three key sectors and five pillars of the strategy, the three major sectors being Construction, Medical Products, and Consumer Products. The value of the strategy is expected to reach Dh1.7billion by 2025."

Speaking to Khaleej Times on the opportunities and challenges facing medical 3D priniting, Dr Professor Michael Gelinsky, Head of the Centre for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research at Dresden University, Germany, broke it down into two categories.

"You have to look at it from the angle of 'models for surgical planning' and 'patient specific implants'."

Below, Dr Prof Gelinsky gives us a consolidated overview on the future directions of 3D printing in medicine.

This three-day exhibition is taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre and expects to welcome more than 6,000 attendees, 70 renowned speakers and 100 exhibitors from 70 countries.

kelly@khaleejtimes.com