I bet you thought I gave up on 3D printing. I mean, the last time I published a blog discussing this intriguing technology was more than 14 months ago! Never fear- it was only because most of what is going was not for public consumpiton (or repeating what had already been done).
But, if we are going to create artificial internal organs, this technology is going to be vital. Because we can ensure that the structures we want will be produced. (Kind of like how Humactye is producing those blood access points- via scaffolding.)
But, Dr. Adam Perriman, along with his colleagues at the University of Bristol- Drs. James Armstrong, Madeline Burke, Benjamin Carter, and Sean Davis, have developed a new printable liquid material. They presented [actually it is currently in print] their results in Advanced Healthcare Materials. Comprised of living cells (in part), this bio-ink (as they call it) may be the ticket we need to build cartilage, bone implants, and bone joints. The bio-ink is comprised of adult stem cells combined with two polymers. The adult stem cells were harvested from patients undergoing total hip replacement- using their proximal femur (from the bone marrow, where the stem cells reside).
These compounds form a hydrogel, which means it it a gel-like material that can be soft or hard. The two polymers completing the mix were sodium alginate (a natural substance) and Pluronic F127 (which is used in many cell cultures; it is sold by BASF, that is a block copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide). (I’m sure you were dying to know that!)
The use of the Pluronic F-127 is critical to control the phase behavior the ink- the fact that it comes out liquid and forms a gel [solid] (at 37 C). The alginate is critical for structural integrity- and for cellular nutrition. Once the cell nutrients are incorporated into the mix, the polymer is expelled, leaving just the stem cells and the sodium alginate.
Using a 3D printer, MendelMax 2.0 desktop 3D printer, a product of Maker’s Tool Works, the researchers followed the structures for about five weeks.. The stem cells differentiated into osteoblasts (cells that secrete bone matter) and chondrocytes (cells that secrete cartilage). And, the team used open source data to produce structures for nose, ear, and tracheal cartilage rings via their 3D printer.
Things are looking up for those who need bony structures!
3D printing is going to play a bigger and bigger role in our lives going forward!
That’s an understatement, Nick.
It will make just-in-time manufacturing REALLY just in time!
Print me an ear???? https://t.co/TlUW38CO2N via @RAAckerman <-Awesome! No, I mean REALLY AWESOME.
Love your titles! But I am amazed by your post. I kept re-reading parts of it to make sure I was reading what I thought I was. Not sure how I feel about it.
An ear doesn’t bother me too much, Jeanine. Not even a hand. But, then, again, I’m not sure I’d be thrilled if someone found a way to have FOUR hands….
Wow, that is awesome! And here I have been looking at 3D printing primarily for its artistic uses!
Those artistic uses are pretty darned astounding, VJ.
Do you own a device yet?
Looking forward to seeing how this technology develops!
Tammy Rome recently posted..What’s a Real Migraine?
Me, too, Tammy!
Once we got our hands on a cool CAD/CAM system, getting an additional 3D printer was the obvious choice.
Now, if I could only get that artificial brain working 🙂
Print me an ear??? | https://t.co/asaEBjV7wT via @Adjuvancy
Print me an ear??? | https://t.co/lTz2SXqzFN via @Adjuvancy
Amazing, if we can manage not to destroy ourselves before the technology is perfected.
I’m with you on that, Alana!
Very interesting what can be done and what will be developed over the next few years. Remember the hit TV show the 6 million dollar man,? Seems it was just a few years ahead of it’s time.
Chef William Chaney recently posted..Visiting Wisconsin
If these 3D printers do their jobs right, the tab will never approach $ 6 million, Chef William!
I can’t get over the things they can make with a 3D printer! I saw the 3D hand on a little boy and thought it was awesome! I didn’t here about the ear.
Martha recently posted..Mesh Screen Door
The world will be radically changed as we find more and better ways to use these 3D printers (also called additive manufacturing devices).
Thanks for hte visit and the comment, Martha