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Journal article
From the ground up: understanding the developing infrastructure and resources of 3D printing facilities in hospital-based settings
3D printing in medicine, v 8(1), 21
11 Jul 2022
PMID: 35821456
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Background
3D printing is a popular technology in many industries secondary to its ability to rapidly produce inexpensive, high fidelity models/products, mainly through layer-by-layer fusion of various substrate materials. In healthcare, 3D printing has garnered interest for its applications in surgery, simulation, education, and medical device development, and 3D printing facilities are now being integrated into hospital-based settings. Yet, little is known regarding the leadership, resources, outputs, and role of these new onsite entities.
Methods
The purpose of this research was to survey features of North American hospital-based 3D printing facilities to understand their design and utility in anticipation of future expansion. Hospital-based 3D printing labs were recruited through online special interest groups to participate via survey response. Anonymous, voluntary data were collected from 21 facilities over 9 weeks and reported/analyzed in aggregate.
Results
Of the respondents, > 50% were founded in the past 5 years and 80% in the past decade, indicating recent and rapid growth of such facilities. Labs were most commonly found within large, university-affiliated hospitals/health systems with administration frequently, but not exclusively, through radiology departments, which was shown to enhance collaboration. All groups reported collaborating with other medical specialties/departments and image segmentation as part of the workflow, showing widespread interest in high fidelity, personalized medicine applications. Lab leadership was most often multidisciplinary, with physicians present on nearly all leadership teams. Budgets, personnel, and outputs varied among groups, however, all groups reported engagement in multiple 3D printing applications.
Conclusion
This preliminary study provides a foundation for understanding the unique nature of hospital-based 3D printing labs. While there is much to learn about such in-house facilities, the data obtained reveal important baseline characteristics. Further research is indicated to validate these early findings and create a detailed picture of the developing infrastructure of 3D printing in healthcare settings.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- From the ground up: understanding the developing infrastructure and resources of 3D printing facilities in hospital-based settings
- Creators
- Kristy M. Shine - Thomas Jefferson UniversityLauren Schlegel - Thomas Jefferson UniversityMichelle Ho - Thomas Jefferson UniversityKaitlyn Boyd - Drexel UniversityRobert Pugliese - Thomas Jefferson University
- Publication Details
- 3D printing in medicine, v 8(1), 21
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 11
- Grant note
- Thomas Jefferson University Open Access Fund Pennsylvania Medical Society Innovation Grant program
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000824882800001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85195576361
- Other Identifier
- 991021860719104721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging