Global 3D Printed Medical Devices Market Revenue to Grow

Staff Writer | Today's Medical Development | November 22, 2016

Future Market Insights delivers key insights on the global 3D printed medical devices market in a publication titled “3D Printed Medical Devices Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016 – 2026.” The global 3D printed medical devices market was estimated to be $238 million in 2015 and it has a wide scope of growth in the forecast period. The global 3D printed medical devices market can be broadly classified into six segments depending on the technology namely – stereolithography (SLA), selective layer sintering (SLS), digital light processing (DLP), fused deposition modelling (FDM), polyjet / inkjet 3D printing, and electronic beam melting (EBM) – each with different applications that are specific to orthopaedic, dental, and internal and external prosthetics. The global 3D printed medical devices market is expected to reach $279.6 million in 2016, witnessing a year-on-year growth of 17.5%.

According to Future Market Insights analysts, factors such as a rising prevalence of disorders such as diabetes-related gangrene cases, peripheral vascular diseases, and osteoarthritis among elderly individuals are leading to the use of 3D printed medical devices. Some of the other factors are cases where dental implants and cranio-maxillofacial implants are required. These factors are collectively anticipated to fuel the revenue growth of the global 3D printed medical devices market over the forecast period. In addition, factors such as rising awareness regarding personal care, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, increase in incidence of accidents, and increasing geriatric population are anticipated to enhance the growth of the global 3D printed medical devices market over the forecast period.

However, only a few selected materials such as resins, plastics, and a few metals are used for 3D printing. Usage of other materials for 3D printing results in high operational costs and is time consuming. Also, size of the printer limits the size of the product, making it is a challenging job to produce parts of large industrial machines. Moreover, a key limiting factor in the adoption of 3D printing are technical barriers. These are complex equipment and so most of the 3D printing manufacturers are using open source technology. As adjusting equipment and printing parameters are time consuming processes, users lose interest in learning or knowing to operate such devices...