Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is opening new opportunities in biomedicine by enabling creative problem solving, faster prototyping of ideas, advances in tissue engineering, and customized patient solutions. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Library purchased a Makerbot Replicator 2 3D printer to give scientists a chance to try out this technology. To launch the service, the library offered training, conducted a survey on service model preferences, and tracked usage and class attendance. 3D printing was very popular, with new lab equipment prototypes being the most common model type. Most survey respondents indicated they would use the service again and be willing to pay for models. There was high interest in training for 3D modeling, which has a steep learning curve. 3D printers also require significant care and repairs. NIH scientists are using 3D printing to improve their research, and it is opening new avenues for problem solving in labs. Several scientists found the 3D printer so helpful they bought one for their labs. Having a printer in a central and open location like a library can help scientists, doctors, and students learn how to use this technology in their work.
Highlights
Three-dimensional (3D) printing applications in biomedical fields are only limited by the imagination and a few technical issues
Patient-specific hip replacements and spinal implants are on the way [7,8,9]
To further understand how scientists, fellows, and students used the 3D printers and their opinions on service models, staff surveyed 82 unique users and obtained 32 responses (39% response rate), providing responses to the question of how the printed models would help with their work or research at National Institutes of Health (NIH), such as: I have been building custom pieces needed for electrophysiological recordings
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) printing applications in biomedical fields are only limited by the imagination and a few technical issues. Patient-specific hip replacements and spinal implants are on the way [7,8,9] Another area of strong development is surgical guides that can be designed from medical imaging for a wide range of applications. These guides improve surgical planning, especially for complicated cases, and can shorten surgical time [10,11,12]. 105 (1) January 2017 purchased by libraries [13] These skills can be used for more sophisticated applications, such as printing a custom hip replacement on a titanium printer or bioprinting. Only one article mentions significant maintenance issues, all Journal of the Medical Library Association
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