Biomedical photopolymers in 3D printing
ISSN: 1355-2546
Article publication date: 3 December 2019
Issue publication date: 25 February 2020
Abstract
Purpose
Three-dimensional printing of acrylic-based medical devices is projected to grow exponentially despite the limitations of photopolymerization and the lack of information on the clinical performance of the materials. The purpose of this paper is to address an issue of critical importance in the translation of the three-dimensionally printed structures to the clinic, which is assessing the toxicity of the polymers and their precursors.
Design/methodology/approach
This review highlights the different manufacturing processes, challenges and novel experimental work including the zebrafish embryo model, which offers a potential method for toxicity profiling of biomedical photopolymers and their precursors due to its high genetic similarity to humans.
Findings
Materials information and experimental data available so far suggest that there is a need for regular and rigorous evaluation of new materials to establish their safety and protect users engaging in biomedically-related printing activities.
Originality/value
The review identifies stringent, contemporary and cost-effective analytical methods for assessing the safety of biomedical photopolymers and their precursors.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Objective 3D (Australia) and 3D Systems (Australia) for supplying printed materials to support the author’s ongoing project. The author’s gratitude also goes to Adam White and Jasper Bowman (School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University) for their assistance with headspace analysis of the materials presented in this review.
Citation
Alifui-Segbaya, F. (2020), "Biomedical photopolymers in 3D printing", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 26 No. 2, pp. 437-444. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-10-2018-0268
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited