1. Bioprinter
Yesterday’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
2. -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
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/
3. 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 process
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/
http://www.psfk.com/2010/08/future-of-health-bio-medical-printing.html
4. 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
5. 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/
7. -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/
8. 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
