Published Article / This paper identifies the most significant technological developments made in medical applications of rapid prototyping and manufacturing (RP&M) over the past decade. This assessment is based on a retrospective analysis of the research undertaken by the Medical Applications Group of the National Centre for Product Design and Development Research (PDR), based at the University of Wales lnstitute Cardiff (UWIC). UK. The paper describes the state of technology at the inception of the Group in 1998 and then highlights the significant technological developments that impacted on the activities of the Group over the decade to 2008. The paper will also discuss how these technologies have developed since their initial implementation. The paper will conclude with suggested directions future work should take in order to meet clinical and technical needs.

Thesis (MScEng (Industrial Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As part of a growing trend in the medical industry of patient specific solutions, a need arises for means and methods that could grant surgeons the ability to improve their pre-operative planning, and help streamline their intra-operative proceedings relative to each individual patient. A suitable solution has emerged in the form of Additive Fabrication. Most of the traditional layer manufacturing technologies have been considered to be too expensive for medical application, and could not always be justified. However, more cost effective technologies, such as 3D Printing, have recently come to the scene and definitely require a fresh re-consideration for medical applications. In this report the research results are presented that look at the applications of 3D Printing in various fields of reconstructive surgery. Based on a variety of case studies the outcome strongly suggests that 3D Printing might become part of standard protocol in medical practice in the near future. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tans beweeg die mediese veld al hoe meer in die rigting van pasiënt uniekheid. Dit beteken dat behandeling begin weg beweeg van standaard prosedures en soveel moontlik aagepas word om aan te pas by elke unieke pasiënt. As deel hiervan ontstaan die behoefte by chirurge om hul operasies ook beter te beplan spesifiek tot elke individu, en sodoende te verseker dat die prosedures in teater so glad moontlik verloop. Daar is reeds tegnologië in die vorm van Addidatiewe Vervaardiging wat hierdie probleem aanspreek. Tot op hede was die finansiële implikasies vir meeste van die onderskeie tegnologië ‘n struikelblok wanneer dit kom by mediese toepassings. Tog, danksy meer koste effektiewe tegnologie soos 3D Drukwerk, is dit die moeite werd om weer op nuut te kyk na die moontlikhede wat die tegnologie kan bied. In hierdie verslag word daar gekyk na die verskillende toepassings van 3D Drukwerk in die veld van rekonstruktiewe chirurgie. Op grond van die resultate verkry vanaf ‘n wye verskeidenheid gevalle studies word die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat bekostigbare tegnologie soos 3D Drukwerk ‘n baie goeie kans het om in die nabye toekoms deel te word van standaard prosedure in die mediese praktyk.