From its humble beginnings in the late 1980s, through to the global force that it is today, the capabilities of 3D printing technology have expanded dramatically, to establish itself as an attractive manufacturing solution for prototyping and production. Conferring advantages such as shorter lead times, reduced waste and opportunity for mass customisation, the potential of 3D printing was quickly realised and has gone from strength to strength since. One of the key industries to have successfully leveraged these advantages is the medical and dental industry. 3D printing allows the production of a wide range of devices such as hearing aids to Invisalign® aligners to prosthetic limbs which are tailored to meet the specific needs of the patient while adhering to a narrow regulatory framework. The range of applications is not limited to medical devices or prosthetics: as the development of 3D bioprinting continues to evolve, there is scope for the implantation of living tissues as part of regenerative medicine. Key players are now capitalising on this potential, and the size of the opportunity presented by 3D printing in the medical industry will exceed $8.1 billion by 2029. This rapid growth is analysed, and implications evaluated in the latest market intelligence report from IDTechEx Technology Analysts Dr Bryony Core and Dr Nadia Tsao: 3D Printing in the Medical and Dental Industry 2019 - 2029: Trends, Opportunities and Outlook.
Technology, applications and case studies
In 2018, the range of applications of 3D printing and 3D bioprinting within the medical and dental industry is tremendously diverse. An overview of the latest printing processes and key materials utilised within the medical industry is provided, before investigating in detail the most commonly encountered printers and materials utilised in each speciality. This report takes an in-depth look into the most prolific applications, providing detailed case studies of leading edge companies developing innovative products leveraging this technology. Furthermore, this report provides an overview of regulatory challenges faced in bringing 3D printed products to market, discussing the current regulatory outlook as well as outstanding barriers that must be addressed.
Market outlook
This report provides an overview of the revenues generated from the sale of 3D bioprinting and 3D printing equipment, materials and software to the medical industry as well as a comprehensive insight into the drivers and restraints affecting technology development for all key application areas. This report provides case studies and SWOT analyses for the most prolific disrupters developing 3D printed medical devices and living tissues, as well as analysing the medical 3D printing supply chain including printer manufacturers and materials formulators. IDTechEx conducted exhaustive primary research with companies across a range of industries developing equipment for medical applications of 3D printing for key insights into the drivers and restraints affecting the growth of this technology.
Key questions that are answered in this report
- Who are the key players developing equipment and materials for medical applications of 3D printing?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of different 3D printing technologies?
- What are the potential medical applications of each type of 3D printing technology?
- How has 3D printing already been used to create medical devices?
- Which types of printers and materials are used according to medical specialities?
- Which printers support materials that can be used for medical devices?
- What are the unmet needs of technicians and practitioners that are not satisfied by current technology?
- What are the market shares of those active in the market?
- What are the key drivers and restraints of market growth?
- How will revenues from sales of hardware, materials and software grow from 2019 to 2029?
3D PrintinUS$ 5,995