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

-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/

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

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

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/

Bioprinter Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQTxaJNN73U&feature=channel

-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/

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

Works Cited