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People hope 3D printing will bring a revolution in manufacturing, and many believe it could also end the organ shortage problem. The catch is that 3D printing a living cell is not easy, and it still needs much more research.
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A future where we can 3D print human organs seems to be getting very close.
The supply of human organs for transplants is always in severe shortage. Because of this, some people ignore every ethical and legal standard to trade organs illegally. So when 3D printing arrived, people hoped for a revolution in manufacturing and believed this problem could be wiped out. The catch is that 3D printing a living cell is not easy, and it still needs much more research. Even so, a future where human organs can be 3D printed seems to be getting closer. According to a recent study from the University of Twente (the Netherlands), researchers have developed a method that can 3D print cell-laden tissue with extremely high precision. The new technique is called “in-air microfluidics.” It uses two jets that spray liquid. One contains alginate, a thickening agent, and the other contains CaCl2. The two jets fire at the same time so the liquids collide in mid-air and then fall onto a spinning surface, forming a tube-shaped material. What matters here is that this structure lets cells stay trapped inside the printing material. After printing on the 3D printer, the result is a multi-cell 3D tissue in tube form. In other words, we get a sponge-like structure made of hydrogel and filled with human cells.
“This 3D printed model has an internal structure similar to natural tissue,” the team explained.
“Many 3D printing technologies today use heat or UV light, and both damage living cells. This new method is extremely promising for creating living tissue, where damaged body parts could be “repaired” with material made from the patient’s own cells.”
With the new method, scientists can control and shape tiny droplets smaller than 1 micrometer. The new technique is also much faster. Before, it took 17 hours to fill one cubic centimeter of material. Now it takes only a few minutes.
It sounds very academic, but it is worth knowing about, because it could be seen as a revolution. In 2003, the first bioprinting technology used in the US was simply a modified printer that printed biological material instead of ink.
Just one decade later, things took a giant leap. In 2015, scientists believed a model of a heart could be made with 3D printing. Now we are closer to a future of printing human organs, although there is still a lot of work ahead.
3D printing corneas | Lasting life thanks to 3D technology.
Source: IFL Science
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Frequently asked questions
What is bioprinting?
Bioprinting is a 3D printing technology that uses “bio-ink” containing living cells and a biocompatible base material to build tissue structures layer by layer. The goal is to make tissue for research and drug testing, and in the future, replacement tissue and organs.
Can complete organs be 3D printed for transplants yet?
Not widely. Research teams have printed tissue and simple structures, but complex organs like the liver or kidneys need a network of blood vessels and full function, and they are still in the research stage.
How is 3D printing used in healthcare today?
Common uses today include anatomical models for surgical planning, surgical guides, orthopedic braces, clear aligners, dental crowns and some personalized metal implants. These uses do not need living cells, so they are already much more widespread.
What data are 3D printed anatomical models made from?
Models are usually built from a patient’s CT or MRI scans. The area of interest is segmented, converted into a 3D file and printed in plastic or resin. Doctors use the model to see the anatomy clearly and rehearse before surgery.
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