4D printing is the latest technology in healthcare that is going to revolutionize the artificial organs and prosthetics industry. 4D printing is a product of collaboration work between MIT’s Lab and Stratasys. 4D printing is evolved 3D printing where the fourth dimension is the time and shape of the product that can change with time. Advantage of 4D printed models is that one can change the shape of 3D printed model after its publication. Hence, according to the patient physiology prosthetic or artificial organ can be customized. There are various promising applications of 4D printing technology in the healthcare field. However, the need is to identify and explore where this new technology can be deployed. Currently, scientist found some of the applications in the field of chemotherapy, tissue engineering, and self-assembling biomaterials.

Market Dynamics

Wide range of application, increasing need of organ transplants, and advantages associated with 4D technology are the key drivers of the 4D printing market in healthcare. For instance, the technology can manufactures implant as per planned which can grow with patient’s growth. Furthermore, it also minimizes the need of surgical procedure by developing self-deforming component to treat any abnormality in the body. 4D printing technology is also useful in research studies as the technology can innovate product at the time of design and development stage. Research publications on the topic are increasing due to availability of funding and growing focus of scientist of this new technology. However, high development cost, low awareness among low and middle income countries, and stringent government regulations for the implantable devices and smart materials used for the product are some of the limiting factors of the market.  

By Component Analysis

Based on the component, the healthcare 4D printing market has been categorized into equipment, software & services, and programmable materials. The software and services segment dominated the healthcare 4D printing market in 2018. This can be attributed to a wide range of applications.     

By Technology Study

Based on the technology, 4D printing market is categorized into PolyJet, Fused Deposition Model (FDM), Stereolithography, and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). FDM technology accounted for the largest share of the market in 2018. This can be attributed to its ability to form a mechanically strong model. However, the PolyJet segment is anticipated to observe the fastest growth during the forecast period as this technology enables the development of delicate and complex shapes. It can also develop products with a variety of materials and colors in a single model. Minimum wastage and high accuracy are some of the other key advantages of PolyJet technology that drive the demand in the market.  

Application Stance

On the basis of application, the market is segmented into patient specific implants, medical research models, and surgical guides. The medical research model segment accounted for the largest share of the market due to ongoing research. These models can be customized as per the patient physiology. 

Regional Stance

North America accounted for the maximum share of the global healthcare 4D printing market and is expected to observe a significant growth in the future due to ongoing technological innovations in the field. Furthermore, rising demand for organ transplantation and lack of organ donors are likely to propel the regional market during the forecast period. High investment by market players for the development of 4D models and the presence of sophisticated healthcare infrastructure for the development and implantation of 4D models are the other key factors for the dominance of the region. More than 113,000 numbers of women, men, and children were on the national transplant waiting list by July 2019 and 20 people die each day in the U.S. due to waiting for a transplant.              

The market research study on “4D Printing in Healthcare Market – Global Industry Analysis, Market Size, Opportunities and Forecast, 2019 – 2026”, offers a detailed insight on the global 4D printing in healthcare market entailing insights on its different market segments. Market dynamics with drivers, restraints, and opportunities with their impact are provided in the report. The report provides insights into the global 4D printing in healthcare market, its component, technology, application, end user, and major geographic regions. The report covers basic development policies and layouts of technology development processes. Secondly, the report covers global 4D printing in healthcare market size, and segment markets by component, technology, application, end user, and geography along with the information on companies operating in the market. The 4D printing in healthcare market analysis is provided for major regional markets including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa. For each region, the market size for different segments has been covered under the scope of the report.  

The players profiled in the report include Organovo Holdings Inc., 3D Systems, Inc., EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems, Dassault Systèmes SE, Stratasys Ltd., and EnvisionTEC Inc. Product commercialization, mergers, acquisitions, and collaborations for the distributions, increase their profitability, and cater to the needs of customers are the key organic as well as inorganic growth strategies being adopted by the market players.    

Market Segmentation

By Component

• Equipment
• Software & Services
• Programmable Materials

By Technology  

• PolyJet
• FDM
• Stereolithography
• SLS

By Application 

• Patient Specific Implant
• Medical Research Models
• Surgical Guides

By End User 

• Hospitals
• Dental Laboratories
• Others

By Geography

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa