Industrial 3D printing technology has dramatically changed the way the healthcare industry manufactures products. From surgical instruments, ventilators, implants and patient specific medical devices that save lives, 3D printing has made its mark. Historically, 3D printing has primarily been used as a tool primarily for rapid prototyping, however recent advancements in additive manufacturing have widened the scope of functional medical applications. Today, 3D printing has a developed a proven track record in the medical manufacturing industry enabling low-volume production of end-use medical devices and functional prototypes alike. Medical devices produced by high performance medical grade 3D printed resins and polymers complies with ISO 10993 and USP Class VI biocompatibility and are compatible with common sterilization methods. Personalized medical equipment such as orthotics, orthosis & prosthetics can now be made lighter, be more comfortable to wear and be built faster. Supply shortages can be alleviated using 3D printing, with ventilators and PPE being two recent examples of how the versatility of 3D printing has been used to get critical medical equipment delivered on short notice to hospitals that require them.

Common high performance materials used to create medical devices include Nylon 12 via Powder Bed Fusion which is a versatile material excellent for both functional prototypes & end-use parts, and is biocompatible according to EN ISO 10993-1 and USP/Level VI/121 °C. The material is highly durable and frequently used to manufacture functional braces, orthotics, prosthetics, surgical guides and even implants. Ventilators, swabs and other high resolution medical devices are also commonly manufactured using Accura Clearvue via Stereolithography which is a high clarity polycarbonate like plastic for applications that require long-term skin or mucosal membrane contact. The material offers excellent humidity and moisture resistance capable of meeting USP Class VI biocompatibility and is compatible with common sterilization methods. Common applications for this material include ventilators components, inhalers and injectors. Finally, for surgical guides, implants, dentures and orthopedics Stainless Steel 316L via Direct Metal Laser Sintering provides end-use, ultra-strong, long lasting implants, surgical guides and orthopedics.