It is 10-50 times faster than existing methods
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.
New 3D Printing Technology Could Speed Up Artificial Organ Growth
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.
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.
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.
