Since the dawn of additive manufacturing technologies in the 1980s and 90s, now commonly named 3D printing, the possibility of processing raw materials into freeform designed objects with unprecedented shape complexity opened new avenues for the development of medical devices. Indeed, the geometries of nature and the human body are extremely multifaceted, with even fractal- like or multiscale Abstract. This is a review of some of the recent developments in the application of 3D printing to medicine. The topic is introduced with a brief explanation as to how and why 3D is changing practice, teaching, and research in medicine. Then, taking recent examples of progress in the field, we illustrate the current state of the art. While 3D printing technology enables manufacturers to make complex designs, rapid prototypes, and final parts in fundamentally different ways, it also poses some IP protection risks. For example, 3D printing enables almost anyone to recreate any existing product design and make, use, or distribute it without permission from the original creator. Over time, the technology rapidly evolved and several models of 3D printers appeared on the market. Today a sophisticated extrusion-based printer is sold for $2,500-$3,000, but new models are appearing on the market having a cost of few hundreds of dollars. The new generation of 3D printers is very attractive for the industry due to its cost The 3D printing industry has grown dramatically over the last decade and continues to challenge and re-shape the health technology field today [1,2]. 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) is the process of making a physical object from a digital model through the automated addition of material. One of the main issues related to 3D printing is piracy. Because files can be easily copied, users have the ability to reproduce products as long as . they have access to a 3D printer. Nowadays, tor- In addition an anticipatory ethical analysis will be conducted based upon a projection of future possibilities related to the confluence of 3D technology, nanotechnology and organ printing. In general practical ethicists attempt to identify and address social and ethical issues that arise in the world around us. Dealing with such ethical issues today is trying to get ahead of the curve, assuming that organ-printing will happen one day, even if that day remains a long way away. Open gallery view A 3-D printed model of the arteries and blood vessels running from the heart to the brain. 7cOE.