Holistic insights of 6D printing in healthcare

Abstract

Additive manufacturing has recently demonstrated significant progress in healthcare. Six-dimensional (6D) printing is an emerging field that holds great promise through the rapid, layer-by-layer creation of complex objects capable of changing over time in response to external stimuli, resulting in dynamic and adaptable products. 6D printing represents a superimposition of 4D and 5D printing, combining the stimuli-responsiveness of 4D printing with the structural robustness of 5D printing. It uniquely enables autonomous, adaptive drug delivery systems by utilizing smart materials such as shape-memory alloys, responsive polymers, and hydrogels that react to environmental triggers. This review explores the evolution, mechanisms, significance, and innovations of 6D printing, which has made notable strides toward patient-centered medical approaches. Future developments in 6D printing may involve the use of material panels that adapt to stimuli varying over time under physiological conditions, offering new possibilities for advanced medical applications and solutions.