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BioprinterYesterday’s Science Fiction is Becoming Today’s
Reality in the Medical Field
http://www.gizmag.com/3d-bio-printer/13609/
http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/File:Dermal_regenerator_fom.jpg
Image still of characters using supposed “Dermal Regenerator” to
heal a cut from an episode of popular Science Fiction series
“Star Trek”
Photo of Organovo scientist working with the company’s “NovoGen” bioprinter
Tori McCafferty
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-Uses common inkjet printer technology to spray new skin tissue onto burn wounds instead of grafting skin
-Patient’s own healthy cells used to create new skin -Computer uses scanner to create 3D map of wound
-Printer sprays skin cells directly onto patient’s wound
-Printer could soon be specially modified to be mounted above patient’s bed for use in hospitals
Skin BioPrinter
Skin Bioprinter
Plans for a human sized skin printer
Photo of current skin bioprinter model
http://inhabitat.com/skin-cell-spraying-bio-printer-can-heal-burn-victims-in-three-weeks/
http://singularityhub.com/2010/11/04/wake-forest-could-print-you-some-new-skin/
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Application-A camera uses a laser to scan the wound, creating a 3D model
-Skin is made up of different layers which contain various types of skin cells
-The computer tells the printer which cells to print where for precise application
Plans for a human sized skin printer
Digital 3D model of wound
Example of laser scanning processhttp://inhabitat.com/skin-cell-spraying-bio-printer-can-heal-burn-victims-in-three-weeks/
http://singularityhub.com/2010/11/04/wake-forest-could-print-you-some-new-skin/
http://www.psfk.com/2010/08/future-of-health-bio-medical-printing.html
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How It Works-Tissue is printed in alternating layers of biopaper and bioink
-Gelatin-like biopaper is biodegradable and mimics a normal cell environment to support the bioink
-Bioink droplets are made up of the actual cells, which are printed in specific patterns to create the intended structure
-Over time the biopaper dissolves and the individual bioink droplets fuse together to create new tissue
Digital rendering of bioprinting process at cellular level with biopaper and bioink
http://forgacslab.missouri.edu/bioprinter.html
http://forgacslab.missouri.edu/bioprinter.html
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Beyond Skin-Scientists are working hard to develop systems to not only print flat tissue, but also blood vessels and organs
-The current leaders in the field are companies Organovo and Invetech, which have partnered up to produce the first commercial 3D bioprinter
-Advanced models of the bioprinter and newly developed systems allow for more complex and precise printing methods and possibilities
-Biological material is able to self organize with use of stem cells
Sample rendering of possible model for 3D bioprinter
http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2010/07/gallery-bio-printing/
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Bioprinter Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQTxaJNN73U&feature=channel
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-The skin bioprinter has already been successful in treating burns on mice
-The 3D bioprinter is already capable of growing arteries
-Creators claim that these “printed” arteries could be used in heart bypass surgery in as little as 5 years
-More complex organs should be possible in the next 10 years
-Careful trials already being conducted over the years
Advancements and Possibilities
Progress comparison of burn healing rates in mice experiments
Petri dish containing a vein produced by bioprinter
http://singularityhub.com/2010/11/04/wake-forest-could-print-you-some-new-skin/
http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2010/07/gallery-bio-printing/5/
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Future Potential-If successful, could reduce or eliminate need for donor organs
-Virtually eliminate rejection
-Repair or replace any organ
-May become the newest tool in hospitals
Issues-Much research and testing still required for human application
-Many burn victims may not have time to wait for own cells to be grown
3D bioprinter diagram
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2029497_2030617_2029812,00.html