Nontraditional Machining Process In Healthcare Applications

Abstract

Although continuous progress in technical advancement, the conventional machining process has became unsatisfactory in healthcare due to its disadvantages. This inadequacy has led researches to consider using the application of nontraditional machining that can machine extremely hard and brittle materials into complicated shapes in healthcare. Researches have proved that diverse NTM applications of Water Jet Machining (WJM), Ultrasonic Machining (USM), Laser Beam Machining (LBM), Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) and Electrocautery are appropriated in manufacturing medical devices and implants for many different fields due to their several advantages. Tissue cutting operations are one of the fields where NTM technologies are widely used. In this review study, firstly, seven NTM technologies were investigated and represented with details to decide most suitable technologies for healthcare field. After this investigation, a literature study was conducted by focusing on WJM, LBM and Electrocautery device that are the most convenient using in tissue cutting operations in healthcare. For this review, 38 articles that have been studied after 2004 classified for the most popular 3 technology in this area, which are WJM, LBM and Electrocautery device.