Three-dimensional (3D) printing in tissue engineering and biosensing of analytes by using biocompatible material or modifying the surface structure is an upcoming area of study. This review discusses three common surface modification techniques, viz. alkaline hydrolysis, UV light photo grafting, and plasma treatment. Alkaline hydrolysis involves the reaction of an alkaline solution with the surface of a material, causing the surface to develop carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. This technique can enhance the biocompatibility, surface wettability, adhesion, printability, and dyeability of materials such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, and polylactic acid (PLA). This review also mentions the details about some of the surface modified 3D printed diagnostic devices. Although most of the devices are modified with chemical processes there are always multiple techniques involved when designing a diagnostic device. We therefore mentioned some of the devices based on the materials used instead of categorising them as per modification techniques. 3D printing helps in the design of sophisticated shapes and structures with multiple materials. They can therefore be used even in the designing of microfluidic devices which are very useful for biosensing. We have also mentioned a few materials for printing microfluidics devices.

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