10. Issues Linked to the Mass-Production of Biomedical Microsystems

The rapid prototyping of biomedical microsystems, which is usually based on additive manufacturing processes, is very well suited for single prototypes with complex geometries, but in many cases inadequate for mass production, due to the excessive cost and time involved, in comparison with replication technologies, such as injection molding and compression molding. In addition, the polymers used in the most precise additive manufacturing technologies, which are based on photo-polymerization processes, are typically toxic or inadequate for biomedical applications, what limits enormously the span of final applications. Exploring cooperative strategies, for taking advantage of the complexity of geometries attainable via rapid prototyping, while also benefiting from the possibility of manufacturing large low-cost series using mass replication techniques, is a relevant industrial need and can be a source of novel procedures for supporting research and innovation in several fields. The issue is of special relevance in biomedical applications, as mass production enables the democratization of Healthcare and helps researchers to carry out more systematic studies for addressing the problems of disease and for finding improved therapeutic solutions. This chapter provides an introduction to the more relevant mass-production technologies with application in the field of biomedical microdevices. Illustrative examples linked to the complete development and mass production of different cell culture platforms and biodevices for studying cell behavior are provided to further analyze the advantages and potentials of using this kind of manufacturing procedures. Main current research trends, linked to the progressive convergence between subtractive and additive manufacturing approaches and to the combined use of technologies for the promotion of multi-scale and biomimetic approaches, are also discussed.