Review

X-ray computed tomography and additive manufacturing in medicine: a review

¹ Manufacturing Metrology Team, Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Research Group, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
² Bioengineering Research Group, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK

^⁎ Corresponding author: adam.thompson@nottingham.ac.uk

Received: 22 February 2017
Accepted: 2 May 2017

Abstract

The use of X-ray computed tomography (XCT) with additive manufacture (AM) within a medical context is examined in this review. The seven AM process families and various XCT scanning techniques are explained in brief, and the use of these technologies together is detailed over time. The transition of these technologies from a simple method of medical modelling to a robust method of customised implant manufacture is described, and the state-of-the-art for XCT and AM is examined in detail. XCT and AM are identified as having the potential to improve gold standards in both modelling and implant production, and in the conclusions of this review, primary barriers to the increased adoption of AM and XCT technologies are identified in reference to the main applications of XCT and AM technologies. The primary prohibitive factors generally relate to the cost of production across all of the examined applications, as well as the need for further clinical trials in surgical guidance and applications involving implantation.