3D printing and virtual reality (VR) have come a long way and have recently received groundbreaking achievements in various industries, including medical.
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing or rapid prototyping, has emerged quickly over the past three decades. It has become more affordable and widely acceptable. The main applications of this technology can be found in medical device manufacturing including prosthetic limbs, dental implants, etc.
From the perspective of business, 3D printing technology has fulfilled the need of personalized medical devices at cost-effective level and has enhanced the manufacturing possibilities in terms of complex designs and materials. Also, 3D printing has reduced lifecycle cost by eliminating expensive tooling requirements and simplified supply chain processes.
However, there are a few limitations: high benchmarks for product quality and FDA approval and low or no insurance coverage by medical providers. These can slow down the acceptance process for patients. Nevertheless, further development of 3D printing technology and evolution in medical industry will gradually overcome these challenges.
Moving on to virtual reality. VR is the use of computer technology to create a controlled, simulated environment. Unlike traditional user interfaces, VR places the user inside an experience. Instead of viewing a screen in front of them, users are immersed and able to interact with 3D worlds. This technology is starting to revolutionize the healthcare industry. Its positive effects are already seen in multiple examples such as: exposure therapy, PTSD treatment, pain management, surgical training and brain damage recovery treatment.
One of the successful examples of VR use in the healthcare industry is SnowWorld VR video game. Developed by the University of Washington, the game is intended to create a distraction for burn victims, in order to ease their pain. Its success was proven in a study on military soldiers with burn injuries, conducted in 2011, which showed that SnowWorld worked better than morphine.
As research continues, more applications will be implemented. However, repeated VR exposure to traumatic experiences can cause desensitization. There is also the risk of incapability to tell between what’s real and what’s virtual, hence VR might become the tool for the ones who want to escape real-life. The high cost of the equipment is another downside to VR use, but scientists are already working on ways to make it cheaper.
The future of 3D printing will reach beyond prosthetic organs or implants. We will see bioprinted disease cells for research purpose, 3D print-out drugs, and more.
As for VR, it’s still in its early stage in the healthcare industry, with the scrutinization from the medical professionals and regulatory organizations. Proving clinical efficacy takes time. But in the not too distant future, we should see more integration of 3D printing and VR with existing technologies including artificial intelligence and big data to bring more effective training for future medical professionals, and better treatment for patients.
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