ABSTRACT
This paper aims to present and discuss the main features concerning with the application of the rapid prototyping technology in medicine. A brief introduction to the genesis of rapid prototyping technology, in general, is made throughout this work. In the sequel of this process, the most relevant rapid prototyping technologies and their implications on the medical applications are presented and discussed, namely in what concerns their main advantages and limitations, as well as to understand the future possibilities related to the development of this technology in Portugal. Furthermore, a simple and fundamental case study is used as an application example, in order to demonstrate the procedures and methodologies adopted in the present work. Finally, the main conclusions from this work are drawn and the perspectives for future research are outlined.
