by Bob Larson
I wrote an article last year about 3D printing and its benefits. 3D printers can now print plastic and metal parts effectively and efficiently. Currently, 3D printing uses computer generated printers to create jewelry and mechanical parts, and eventually human organs.
The medical industry is reproducing human cells in laboratories to create skin, blood vessels, ears, and other living body parts using biopsies or stem cells. However, creating full organs is much more difficult.
The medical industry is now using sophisticated 3D printers to reproduce the components to make organs a reality. Scientists are already using these machines to print tiny strips of organ tissue. While printing whole human organs for surgical transplants is still years away, the technology is rapidly developing. This new concept is called bioprinting.
Bioprinting new organs have many benefits especially for drug or vaccine testing, organ transplants, and disease prevention. 3D bioprinters could someday produce much needed organs for transplants. About 20 people die each day waiting for an organ. Last year, a 2 year old girl in Illinois born without a trachea, received a replacement windpipe using her own stem cells. There are many similar stories using stem cells for other organs.
Organovo, a California startup medical company, has been a leader in bioprinting human body parts for commercial purposes. Using cells from donated tissue or stem cells, Organovo is developing human livers for drug testing. Organovo has built models of human kidneys, bone, cartilage, muscle, blood vessels and lung tissue, but not for human use just yet. Organovo hopes to begin clinical trials in 5 to 10 years with FDA approval following. Thanks to technology, we may find organ replacements a reality within 20 years.
Bob Larson is a technologist. Email: Marketing@50plusmediasolutions.com