FUTURE OF MEDICINE

Prepared by:
Andrew Jimenez, Manager
Tamya White, Materials Coordinator
Marina Jimenez, Research Analyst
Angel Sanchez, Research Analyst

April 21, 2016

Prepared for General Hospital

TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Illustrations..ii
Abstract.....iii
What is 3-D Printing..1
How it Works...1-2
Cost..2-3
Primary Research.3-5
Pros of 3-D Printing.6
Cons of 3-D Printing6-7
Glossary...8
Appendix......9
Work Cited10

List of Illustrations
Fig.1 Knowledge about 3D Printing for Medical use4
Fig.2 Which of the following can be made by a 3D Printer..4
Fig.3 Do you feel the hospital will benefit from 3D printing5
Fig.4 Comfortable receiving a 3D printed organ..5

*See Survey in Appendix for complete list of questions asked.

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ABSTRACT
The purpose of this report, is to recommend the purchase of 3-D Printers for use in our facility.
General Hospital is seeing an increase need for low-cost prosthetics, compatible organs, and medical
equipment. Over the years the prices of all the requested items have escalated, and we would like to
find alternative solutions that will fill the need and be cost effective. Many patients rely on tissue or
organ donation from cadavers or living donors but the waiting lists are long and many die before
transplant occurs (Ventola). Transplant surgery for these patients is costly and so are the medications
needed to suppress the immune system to avoid tissue rejection (Ventola). The benefits to
implementing 3-D printers in General Hospital would include patient recovery time would be
decreased, cost efficiency, and successful surgery ratio.

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What is 3-D Printing

3-D printing has been around for a few years but it was not until recently that it has been being
used for medical purposes. 3-D printing has expanded into different fields but it is making
breakthrough technology to help the medical world. The process of making physical objects from a
three dimensional digital model is what 3-D printing is.
From its humble beginnings of starting to experiment with prosthetics and dental implants,
since then the technology has evolved. The medical field can not only produce prosthetics, but can
make the most delicate of body parts from everything to skin for burn victims to artificial bones. The
technology is becoming known for its cost effectiveness and customizable option for the medical
world. The evolution of the technology continues to grow new discoveries are surely to be made to
further advance the medical industry.

How 3-D Printing Works

In reality though implementing this new technology will revolutionize the whole medical
industry. First off, where traditional 2-D printing is just taking a picture/object and putting it on a
flat piece of paper, 3-D printing is taking that same picture/object and actually making it come to
life giving new dimensions like volume, shape, etc. One would need a 3-D printing program where
it designs new objects like medical equipment or organs for transplants. After the designing
portion, the wait is usually about a few hours depending on the model of the 3-D printer, and one
should have a nice 3-D object. Right now, the 3-D printing industry is a billion dollar industry that

many companies are taking advantage of, especially in the medical field. With this sort of
technology General Hospital can print up organs, heart valves, skin grafts, and all sorts of other
valuable medical equipment in need right now. Sure we would need trained professionals
designing the objects and working the printers, but this investment in this new medical technology
will surely benefit General Hospital.

Cost
Based on our extensive research our group has decided to recommend the Makergear M2,
which is one of the most inexpensive and dependable models on the market. At a starting price of
$1825, compared to other models its the most affordable. For instance, 3-D printer models that we
analyzed such as the Lulzbot Taz 5 and DeltaWASP price ranges were around $2200-$3000, and
though it may seem with that price that are a lot more effective than the Makergear M2, after doing
research, this was not the case at all. Essentially with the Makergear m2, General Hospital will be
getting their moneys worth.
With the Lulzbot Taz 5 costing at $2200, it seems that this is a superior model. In reality, the
print quality is very lackluster. It takes quite a bit of training to use it. The other model that we looked
into investing was the DeltaWasp which cost around $3000. To give it credit, it works very precisely
and can make many items in a short amount of time, but it does have its fair share of problems. Its
connectivity to the hospitals systems is not very strong, and compared to our model it is very
expensive.
For our final choice, the Makergear M2 exceeded our expectations for its price. At just $1825
it does a lot more than its more expensive competitors. For just under $2000, it has very strong build
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quality that will last, it is and makes very reliable and precise medical equipment such as prosthetics
and heart valves. That is why the Makergear M2 with it being cost efficient and reliable, is the best
choice for General Hospital.

Primary research
We conducted a survey to a total of twenty nurses at Huguley Hospital working in
departments such as surgery, progressive care and intensive care (survey located in the
Appendix). The survey inquired about general knowledge using 3D printing, whether they
thought it would be beneficial for the hospital, and if they would be open to receiving an organ
produced by a 3D printer. When asked about their level of knowledge on the subject, sixteen
nurses responded they had a good understanding, four answered minimal and none answered
with outstanding or poor (see Fig. 1). We also questioned them if they knew which products
could be produced with a 3D printer the majority answered all of the above which included
prosthetics, tissues, and heart valves (see Fig.2). Seventeen nurses agreed that the hospital would
benefit from 3D printers with only one nurse against, and two answered maybe (see Fig.3).
Seventeen of those nurses also agreed that if needed they would feel comfortable receiving a 3D
printed organ (see Fig.4).
Although we did get positive feedback from the survey, we found the information
inconclusive in our research.

KNOWLEDGE ABOUT 3D PRINTING FOR MEDICAL USE 20

Total Nurses Surveyed
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Outstanding

Good

Minimal

Poor

Fig. 1 Shows nurse knowledge about 3D printing

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING CAN BE MADE BY A 3D

PRINTER
20 Total Nurses Surveyed
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Organs

Prosthetics

Surgical Tools

Tissue

Heart Valves

All above

Fig. 2 Indicates nurse knowledge of which products can be produced by 3D printers

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DO YOU FEEL THE HOSPITAL WILL BENEFIT FROM 3D

PRINTING
20 Total Nurses Surveyed
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Yes

Fig.3

No

Maybe

Indicates whether the nurses surveyed feel the hospital will benefit from 3D printing

WOULD YOU BE COMFORTABLE RECEIVING A 3D PRINTED

ORGAN
20 Total Nurses Surveyed
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Yes

No

Maybe

Fig. 4 Indicates if nurses would be comfortable receiving a 3D printed organ

Pros
3D printing has been around for years particularly in the industry of manufacturing. In
recent years companies have applied it to medical practices (Ventola). Over the next 10 years
3D printing is anticipated to grow with $1.9 billion used for medical application (Ventola). 3D
printers provide the greatest advantage by generating customized equipment and medical
products which can be beneficial for both physicians and patients (Ventola). Producing
customized surgical tools and implants can decrease the time spent in surgery, recovery time for
patients, and increase favorable outcomes for surgery (Ventola).
3D printing is also cost effective by producing items at a lower price. For example a
pediatric hand prosthetic and cost as much as $10,000 and children outgrow them quickly
(www.betanews.com). The same custom pediatric prosthetic can be produced with a 3D printer
for only a few hundred dollars which is a fraction of the cost (www.betanews.com). This allows
for replacement of the prosthetic as the child grows. Producing lower cost prosthetics makes
them attainable for patients who otherwise could not afford them.
3D Printing can increase productivity (Ventola). Traditional production of prosthetics
and implants can take months because they involve milling and forging in comparison 3D
printing can produce the same product within a few hours (Ventola). 3D printing technologies
are also improving include reliability, accuracy and repeatability (Ventola).

Cons
Despite the many advantages that 3D printing has to offer there are also some
disadvantages as well. A new organ must be able to perform all of its required functions before
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being transplanted into a patient. The new printed organ has to be able to fully replace the old
one. The materials used to make the 3D printers are limited (Ventola). Another concern would be
if the 3D treatments are safe. Although 3D printing should not be banned, its safety will need to
be monitored. Copyright is also an issue in 3D printing (Ventola).
Making a product to be transplanted into human patients is very different than just
making tissues in the lab. To make a product to be used in patients, we have to make sure the
product isnt contaminate with pathogens (Science 2.0). We need a safe printer for the patients
receiving the products. There is also a concern from researchers that the rapid availability of
products made by 3D printers would cause patients to be more irresponsible with their health
(Ratto). Having access to the replacement of an item may encourage people to engage in risky
behaviors, thinking that it will offer a fast and simple cure.

Overall, General hospital should implement 3D Printers technology in their facilities for
many great reasons. It is a brand new technology that can revolutionize the medical industry that
will be cost efficient and have a chance to save many lives. Being able to print very useful
medical equipment like heart valves and organs, instead of having to wait for a compatible
donor. Investing in this technology will not only make General Hospital a better facility, it will
also benefit the community.

Glossary

Forging: Manufacturing process involving the shaping of metal using localized compressive forces.
Milling: To grind or crush something in a mill.
Pediatric: Refers to infants, children, and adolescents, and the age limit usually ranges from birth up to
18 years of age.

Prosthetic: A device, either external or implanted, that substitutes for or supplements a missing or
defective body part.

Appendix
*Survey Given for Primary Research

HOSPITAL
SURVEY
3-D Printing Survey
Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey on the topic of 3-D Printing for medical use. The hospital
welcomes your feedback and your answers will be kept confidential. Thank you for your participation.

3-D Printing
How knowledgeable are you with 3-D printing for medical use?
Outstanding

Good

Minimal

Poor

Which of the following can be made by a 3-D printer?

Organs
Prosthetics

Surgical Tools
Tissues

Heart Valves
All of the above

Do you feel that the hospital can benefit from 3-D printing?
Yes

No

Maybe

If in a situation where one needs an organ transplant, would you feel comfortable receiving a 3-d
printed organ?
Yes

No

Maybe

Works Cited
Ballard, Barclay. "The Benefits of 3D Printing in Healthcare." Www.betanews.com. N.p., 1 June
2015. Web. 15 Apr. 2016.
"3D Printing: A Revolutionary Advance for the Field of Urology?" 3D Printing: A
Revolutionary Advance for the Field of Urology? Web. 19 Apr. 2016.
"Makergear M2." Www.3dhubs.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2016.
"Materializing Information: 3D Printing and Social Change | Ratto | First Monday."
Materializing Information: 3D Printing and Social Change | Ratto | First Monday. Web. 19 Apr.
2016.
Mesko, Bertalan. "12 Things We Can 3D Print in Medicine Right Now."
3dprintingindustry.com. 3dprintingindustry.com, 26 Feb. 2015. Web. 24 Mar. 2016.
"Want To 3D Print Yourself A New Organ? Top 10 List Of Challenges." Science 2.0. Web. 19
Apr. 2016.
Ventola, C. Lee. "Medical Applications for 3D Printing: Current and Projected Uses." P&T
39.10 (2014): 704-11. Web.
Ventola, C. Lee. "Medical Applications for 3D Printing: Current and Projected Uses." Pharmacy
and Therapeutics. MediMedia USA, Inc. Web. 18 Apr. 2016.

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