New 3D printing technology could speed up artificial organ growth

3D printing technology for tissues and organs is only at an early stage of practical implementation, and one of the obstacles is the slow printing speed, which can damage tissues even before printing is completed.

The development, carried out by experts at the State University of New York at Buffalo, in conjunction with their counterparts from other countries, gives hope that a faster and more efficient method may soon emerge.

New 3D printing technology could speed up artificial organ growth

Researchers have developed a 3D printing technique that is 10-50 times faster than currently used ones. The miniature “hand” shown in the illustration would normally have taken six hours to print, whereas with the new technology, it was printed in just 19 minutes. This is enough to minimize deformation and damage to cells – disadvantages inherent in early technologies.

The new approach uses a combination of stereolithography with hydrogels. By precisely controlling the polymerization under the influence of light, it is possible to quickly and continuously deliver the hydrogel solution and maintain the “continuous” growth of the object. It’s like populating a house as new floors are built.

For now, researchers can print “centimeter-sized” models, but the technology is already well-suited for printing tissues with embedded networks of blood vessels, which is critical for the possible production of organs suitable for humans.

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