Printing a revolution!

3D printing is a fairly new concept which has the potential to change medicine forever. Already we are seeing great medical advances, such as in surgery, which are greatly due to 3D printing. With 3D printing we could create structures which are suited to each individual, this could be simply life changing to many people. Such as the story of Hayley Fraser, the first girl in the UK to have a prosthetic hand created with a 3D printer. There are many more cases, like that of Hayley, such as the case of Leakhena Laing, who had a leg amputation after a car accident.






Recently scientists have been able to 3D print bone that could be used to replace damaged bone tissues. This would remove the need for implants, which has numerous drawbacks including the fact that they are easily broken. Another potential option is to take bones from other parts of the body which encompasses more surgery and often stress for the patient. There is also a dearer alternative, which is to use crystallised bones from human bodies. However, 3D printing would provide a more ideal and cost effective method of replacing damaged bones whilst also reducing the surgery required by the patient. Currently, Northwestern University in Illinois has have created an ink which allows the printed bones to be elastic to such an extent where they can be altered during surgery to create the perfect fit. The bone will then turn into natural bone.




Leading scientists are now trying to make the next step - 3d printing living tissues and organs. Before it had been problematic developing blood vessels which could deliver nutrients and oxygen.


Can we 3D print blood?




References:

• The New Scientist
• BBC 
• The Guardian
• The Guardian