Scientists, this study will have a profound impact on patients with severe spinal, jaw or skull problems, and it will be used in a wide range of applications, from general injuries to cancer and even congenital defects.
Fundamentally, this new technology basically uses 3D of biomaterials and stem cells to print out the template of the implant, which then develops into vascularized bone tissue under the skin. “This is a completely new approach to tissue and organ engineering, and we are very excited.†Daniel Kelly, head of the study, said the AMBER Center is part of Dublin Trinity College. The research was published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials, entitled "3D Printing of Developmentally Inspired Templates for Whole Bone Organ Engineering"
It is reported that more than 2.2 million people worldwide need some form of bone transplant every year. Nowadays, there are two best ways to bone graft, either autologous transplantation, that is, taking bones from other parts of the patient's body for implantation, or using allogeneic transplantation, that is, using bones donated by others. Both methods have their own flaws.
Other methods, including metal implants, such as titanium implants tailored to recent 3D printing, are becoming more popular. Many surgeons have used titanium for relatively large implants, including replacing the entire chin. Others are trying to use cartilage or bioglass as a scaffold to stimulate bone regeneration.
But this new study in New Zealand goes far beyond the practice of titanium implants, which actually use our own tissue to repair bones. This will be a qualitative leap.
The methods used by AMBER researchers include the use of 3D bioprinting techniques to create cartilage templates that have been shown to assist in the growth of bone organs. The AMBER team used 3D bioprinting technology to deposit different biomaterials and adult stem cells to create a cartilage template that matched the shape of the inner segment of the spine, and then implanted the template under the skin, where the templates developed over time with a template The fully functional bone organs of the blood vessels, this process is the same as the development of the body's own bones.
“Although this technology has been used to develop relatively simple tissues such as skin, blood vessels and cartilage, it is still far beyond existing biotechnologies to develop more complex physical organs with blood vessels, such as bones. Ability," he said.
"Our research provides real hope for patients with complex bone trauma and large bone defects due to tumor resection in the future. In addition, this biological method can also be used to develop the next generation of biological implants, For knee and hip replacement."
“The next phase of our research goal is to treat large segmental bone defects and then incorporate the technology into a new program to bioprint new knees.â€