Revolutionary 3D Printing Technology Poised to Transform In-Body Medical Treatments
Innovative 3D printing technology opens new avenues for in-body medical treatments.
Key Points
- • 3D printing technology developed for creating structures inside the body without blood loss.
- • The process uses bioink injected into the body, shaped by focused ultrasound.
- • Potential applications include tissue repair and creating urethras for urinary obstructions.
- • Current urinary obstruction treatments are painful; new method offers a more effective solution.
A groundbreaking advancement in 3D printing technology could reshape surgical practices by enabling the creation of biological structures directly within the human body, as reported by researchers from Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the California Institute of Technology. This innovative technique employs a novel bio-printer that injects a special bioink into the body, which is then shaped using focused ultrasound, allowing for construction without any blood loss.
Key medical applications of this technology include repairing damaged tissues and even creating 3D-printed urethras for patients suffering from urinary obstructions, a common ailment primarily affecting men. As urologist Teresa Olsen Ekerhult explains, current treatment methods tend to be painful and invasive, often requiring repeated dilation or surgical intervention. The aim is to produce patient-specific urethras utilizing their own cultured cells, significantly enhancing the treatment experience.
Wei Gao, a key bioengineer involved in this research, notes the potential of this technology to also facilitate the precise delivery of medication within the body, thus improving treatment efficacy. This research was published in the journal Science, with hopes to move towards applications involving larger animal models in the near future, while human trials may take longer to materialize.