Designification of Neurotechnological Devices through 3D Printed Functional Materials

Neurotechnology as a research area can be defined as the convergence of neuroscience and tissue engineering/regenerative medicine. Through directed global initiatives concentrated on a better understanding of the human brain, an exponential rise in innovative functional biomaterials for the symbiotic integration of man and machine has risen. Unfortunately, neurotechnology as with other disruptive technologies faces the daunting path of traversing the broad chasm between the bench (development of technology) and the bedside (application of technology). Clinical translation of medical devices intended to assess, monitor, and treat sensorimotor injuries must address a selection of design and functional constraints which are cost limiting from a traditional manufacturing perspective. As a highly versatile technology, 3D printing in combination with advanced functional materials can be used to manufacture scaffolds for tissue engineering the neural-prosthesis interface as well as devices with predesigned capabilities of integrating spatial and temporal data sets usable in a diagnostic and therapeutic context. Therefore, recent neurotechnological advancements will be discussed in the realm of 3D printed functional materials (>2013) with a focus on their potential for clinical translation.