Continuous patient monitoring, smart pills and mind-machine interface are among the exciting applications of this nascent technology, finds Frost & Sullivan
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as a technology that is spearheading dynamic changes in the healthcare sector. It can unlock unprecedented opportunities by pushing advancements in tissue engineering and biomaterials that will eventually enable the development of human organs. In addition, the technology has found its way into areas such as medical and dental applications, customized consumer products and custom parts replacement.
Analysis from Frost & Sullivan, 3D Bioprinting: Transforming the Future of the Healthcare Sector, finds the convergence of healthcare and manufacturing technologies will have a wide-reaching impact on medical devices, life sciences, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. Exciting opportunities include advances in mind-machine interface, continuous patient monitoring, mobile health, artificial organs, smart pills, optical imaging and advanced visualization imaging.
"3D bioprinting brings several performance and efficiency benefits to the table that translate into a higher quality than what is achieved through conventional manufacturing techniques," said Technical Insights Research Analyst Jithendranath Rabindranath.
However, 3D bioprinting is still at an embryonic stage. The compliance with government regulations is necessary before the product is built using this technology can be used for large-scale uptake. As with any new technology, the costs associated with implementation are high. Advances in processes and materials are also crucial to create fully functional replacements for tissues and organs.
Nevertheless, significant user interest in 3D bioprinting in the healthcare sector is driving key stakeholders to form alliances with universities and research institutes around the globe to make the technology viable for extensive use. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) aim to bring this technology to a completely new range of applications in the healthcare sector. Healthcare companies also want to increase the awareness about this novel technology to help reduce adoption cost once it is commercialized.
"While research and development is largely driven by the U.S., it is essential to encourage research activities in other parts of the world to speed up the commercialization of 3D bioprinting on a global scale," added Rabindranath. "Initially, producing prototypes of various products that demonstrate the capabilities of 3D printing and have significance to the healthcare sector as a whole will help gain market penetration."
3D Bioprinting: Transforming the Future of the Healthcare Sector, a part of the Technical Insights subscription, provides an insight into the role and business perspectives of 3D bioprinting in the healthcare sector. This study offers strategic insights into entry barriers for this novel technology, the impact of regulations, the innovation ecosystem and marketing strategies. Further, this study includes detailed technology analysis and industry trends evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.
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