Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a pioneering technology that has gained increased popularity in the fields of tissue engineering, drug design, drug delivery systems and biomedical devices. Thus, it enables us to explore this technique for fabricating 3D-printed catheters. Owing to its enhanced productivity and cost-efficiency, this technique can be utilized to fabricate any material for manufacturing or designing catheters with antimicrobial properties. From 1930s, Foley's catheter had been widely used to drain the urinary bladder of patients with impaired bladder function. Despite the complications like catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), kidney damage, chronic infections, encrustations and personal discomfort during inflation of the balloon, Foley's catheter was used universally without any changes in product design. Currently, marketed catheters have been reported for reducing CAUTI, but the prevention of limitations by coating drugs onto the catheter is very expensive. Altering the physical properties of the catheter by biopolymer blend might ease the discomfort. Thus, new technologies have to be adopted to manufacture ideal catheters that are biocompatible and provide antimicrobial and anti-fouling properties. Herein, we provide an overview of 3D printing techniques along with different materials opted for manufacturing catheters to overcome the existing challenges and limitations.

中文翻译：

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探索抗感染导尿管 3D 打印：对抗导尿管相关尿路感染 (CAUTI) 的材料和方法 - 综述

三维 (3D) 打印是一项开创性技术，在组织工程、药物设计、药物输送系统和生物医学设备领域越来越受欢迎。因此，它使我们能够探索这种制造 3D 打印导管的技术。由于其提高的生产力和成本效益，该技术可用于制造任何材料，用于制造或设计具有抗菌特性的导管。从 1930 年代开始，Foley 的导管已被广泛用于膀胱功能受损患者的膀胱引流。尽管存在诸如导管相关尿路感染 (CAUTI)、肾损伤、慢性感染、结痂和球囊充气过程中的个人不适等并发症，但 Foley 的导管在产品设计上没有任何变化，但仍被普遍使用。目前，已报道销售的导管可降低 CAUTI，但通过在导管上涂药来预防局限性非常昂贵。通过生物聚合物混合物改变导管的物理特性可能会缓解不适。因此，必须采用新技术来制造具有生物相容性并提供抗菌和防污性能的理想导管。在此，我们概述了 3D 打印技术以及选择用于制造导管以克服现有挑战和限制的不同材料。必须采用新技术来制造具有生物相容性并具有抗菌和防污性能的理想导管。在此，我们概述了 3D 打印技术以及选择用于制造导管以克服现有挑战和限制的不同材料。必须采用新技术来制造具有生物相容性并具有抗菌和防污性能的理想导管。在此，我们概述了 3D 打印技术以及选择用于制造导管以克服现有挑战和限制的不同材料。