Reverse Engineering and 3D Printing of Medical Devices for Drug Delivery and Drug-Embedded Anatomic Implants

Anusha Elumalai; Yash Nayak; Aravinda K Ganapathy; David Chen; Karthik Tappa; Udayabhanu Jammalamadaka; Grace Bishop; David H Ballard

doi:10.3390/polym15214306

Reverse Engineering and 3D Printing of Medical Devices for Drug Delivery and Drug-Embedded Anatomic Implants

Polymers (Basel). 2023 Nov 2;15(21):4306. doi: 10.3390/polym15214306.

Authors

Anusha Elumalai¹, Yash Nayak¹, Aravinda K Ganapathy¹, David Chen¹, Karthik Tappa², Udayabhanu Jammalamadaka³, Grace Bishop⁴, David H Ballard⁴

Affiliations

¹ 3D Printing Lab, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
² Department of Breast Imaging, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas, 7000 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
³ Biomaterials Lab, Rice University, 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005, USA.
⁴ Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.

Abstract

In recent years, 3D printing (3DP) has advanced traditional medical treatments. This review explores the fusion of reverse engineering and 3D printing of medical implants, with a specific focus on drug delivery applications. The potential for 3D printing technology to create patient-specific implants and intricate anatomical models is discussed, along with its ability to address challenges in medical treatment. The article summarizes the current landscape, challenges, benefits, and emerging trends of using 3D-printed formulations for medical implantation and drug delivery purposes.

Keywords: 3D printing; drug delivery; healthcare; implants; medical applications; reverse engineering.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

T32 EB021955/EB/NIBIB NIH HHS/United States