Many next-generation printers are expected to usher in the future of 3D organ printing, but we're not there yet. Now, a new study from the University at Buffalo may have found the right key to take us to the next level.
High-speed 3D printing of organs
“The technology we have developed is 10 to 50 times faster than the industry standard and works with large sample sizes that were very difficult to achieve previously.” Ruogang Zhao, Ph. D., associate professor of biomedical engineering and first author of the study, is thrilled.
The researchers released a video of just seven seconds (obtained by speeding up the entire process, which lasted 19 minutes), which seems like a window into the future of 3D organ printing. There he is.
In the impressive video, an entire hand is 3D printed. A process that using conventional 3D printing methods would take at least 6 hours.
Stereolithography
The new method of high-speed 3D organ printing is called stereolithography and uses the now well-known gelatinous material known as hydrogel.
“Our method enables rapid printing of centimeter-sized hydrogel patterns,” says study co-author Chi Zhou, associate professor of engineering.
Significantly reduces part deformation and cellular injury caused by prolonged exposure to environmental stresses commonly seen in conventional printing methods
chi zhou
Faster and (much) more complete and detailed printing
Scientists say that stereolithography is particularly suitable for printing cells with embedded blood vessel networks. This type of technology could be central to 3D printing of human organs and tissues.
