Historical perspectives on 3D printing
3D printing has changed the landscape of medical devices by accelerating innovation and expanding what is possible to make. Ideas that used to be too expensive or not possible can now be easily 3D printed. Today 3D printing is used for several applications, ranging from toys to complex surgical implants. While 3D printing has been applied to many disciplines, this chapter will focus on concepts relevant to orthopedic surgery. The following chapter will provide a framework for understanding 3D printing concepts that can be used to take a deep dive and apply principles in more specific topics in subsequent chapters. The chapter will start by introducing the advantages of 3D printing and outlining the historical development of 3D printing, before introducing the various methods of 3D printing and explaining how 3D printing technology is regulated by the FDA.
