3D printing traceability in healthcare using 3Diamond software

• Published in: Heliyon Vol. 10; no. 12; p. e32664
• Main Authors: Capek, Lukas, Schwarz, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 30.06.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: 3D printing technology; computer software; Cybersecurity; Data management; health services; hospitals; human resources; medicine; occupations; Product lifecycle management; Software; traceability; Product lifecycle management; Software; Cybersecurity; 3D printing technology; Data management
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32664

3D printing is one of the fastest-growing technologies in medicine, but it is essential to have a system for 3D printing documentation that is accessible for not only clinical engineers and surgeons, but also quality managers and data-privacy officers in hospitals. Dedicated software such as product lifecycle management (PLM) software could enable comprehensive management and traceability of all data relevant to 3D printing tasks in a hospital and would highly beneficial. Therefore, customizable software called 3Diamond was developed for 3D printing in medicine. The software development process involved several stages, including setting specifications based on end-user requirements, design, implementation, and testing. In order to ensure the software's long-term success and smooth operation, critical phases were also considered, such as deployment and maintenance. The developed software provides immediate and complete traceability of all preparations and controls, as well as management of reports, orders, stock, and post-operative follow-up of tasks related to 3D printing in a hospital. Based on user requirements, software testing is provided automatically with each release. The software was implemented in a natural clinical environment with a developed 3D printing center. Although 3D printing has potential for innovation in the medical profession, it is nevertheless subject to regulations. Even though there are exemptions for patient-specific products, the effects of their local legal implementations related to 3D printing cannot be fully overseen. To this end, 3Diamond provides a robust system for 3D printing documentation that is accessible to different personnel in hospitals. •The software provides traceability of all preparations and controls joined with 3D printing in the hospitals.•It is easy to incorporate the software into the quality management system of clinical oriented departments.•The software offers 3D printing life cycle management system for hospitals.