The possibilities of 3D bioprinting have further expanded thanks to the work of engineers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) who have developed a soft robotic arm that can print directly onto human organs and tissues.
In recent years, 3D printing technology has been used to create biomaterials incorporating living cells (bioinks) and drugs to create things like heart and gastrointestinal patches to treat a variety of conditions.
Currently, bioprinting is mainly used for research and new drug development. It requires the use of large 3D printers to create structures that are surgically implanted in the body, which carries its own risks, such as tissue damage and risk of infection. Biomaterials are typically soft and fragile structures that can be damaged by manual handling during the implantation process.
Another common challenge when using externally created 3D constructs is the potential mismatch between the construct and the tissue surface on which it is implanted. Direct implantation of biomaterials into target tissues offers a promising solution.
UNSW engineers have developed a small, flexible, soft robotic arm that can be inserted into the body like an endoscope and deliver biomaterials directly to the surface of organs and tissues.
The proof-of-concept device, called F3DB, is controlled externally and consists of a long, flexible robotic arm at the end of which is a highly maneuverable swivel head that “prints” bioink through small multi-directional nozzles. .
“Existing 3D bioprinting techniques require biomaterials to be created outside the body, and transplanting them into humans typically requires extensive open-field surgery, which increases the risk of infection,” said the study. said Dr. Thanh Ngo Do, corresponding author of .
“Our flexible 3D bioprinter means we can deliver biomaterials directly to target tissues or organs with a minimally invasive approach,” said Do. “Our prototype, thanks to its flexible body, allows him to 3D print multiple layers of biomaterial and different sizes and shapes from confined or hard-to-reach locations.”
Once F3DB has finished printing in one region, it can be redirected to another location to resume the process. This means that the device can be used to print biomaterials over large areas, including the entire surface of organs such as the colon, stomach, heart, and bladder, which is not feasible with current bioprinting devices.
Engineers used chocolate, composite gels, and biomaterials to print various shapes precisely on flat and curved surfaces outside the body, such as the interior of artificial colons and the surface of porcine kidneys. tested.
Importantly, we found that the cells were unaffected by the printing process and that the majority of the cells were still alive after printing.
In addition to printing biomaterials, the device operates as a regular endoscopic device, using water jets to clean structures, mark lesions, and dissect tissue.
“Compared to existing endoscopic surgical tools, the developed F3DB was designed as an all-in-one endoscopic tool, avoiding the use of modifiable tools, which are typically associated with longer procedure times and risks of infection. avoid,” said lead author Mai Thanh Thai. of research.
Currently, it is not possible to print internal tissues or organs with commercially available devices. The team behind F3DB says that with further development, the device will be ready for use by medical professionals within five to seven years.
The study was published in a journal advanced science.
Source: University of New South Wales
