3D-printed ear implanted in a human for the first time

In the United States, a 20-year-old woman has a malformation of theEar A transplant designed from human cells and a 3D printer. This world first helps people with small ears, a abnormality Congenital external ear. In the future, this technology may extend to other therapeutic areas.

On June 2, the team of Arturo Bonilla, founder and director Microtia Institute of Congenital Ear Malformation In the United States, perform a transplantplanting from one human ear Created from a 3D printer. This implant called AuriNovo was developed by 3DBio Therapeutics, a Biotechnology specialized in regenerative medicine.

This implant is designed to offer an alternative for people with a pinna, “a rare congenital malformation in which one or both outer ears are absent or underdeveloped,” The company in a press release. In Europe, this anomaly will affect 15 births out of nearly 100,000.

To create the prosthetic that the 20-year-old patient received, specialists took chondrocytes from the patient before growing them in the lab and mixing them withwater gel of collagen. Then they have 3D Printed The result is in the form of a “healthy” ear.

The transplant is done from the patient’s cartilage cells

This operation can become a less invasive alternative to the surgery that is usually offered to people with small ears. ” I hope that AuriNovo will one day become the standard of care to replace current surgical methods of ear reconstruction that require removal cartilage ribs or use implants in polyethylene porous (PPE) ‘, explains Arturo Bonilla.

with this technological improvementthe ear should follow the growth and development of the transplanted person, as the founder of Microtia Institute of Congenital Ear Malformation. ” We also expect this to result in a more flexible ear than being reconstructed with an EPI implant. “.

This operation was carried out as part of a Clinical test Held over five years in two US states, California and Texas. In all, eleven people, ages 6 to 25, with a pinna, will undergo a transplant.

This clinical trial could also make it possible to extend this new technology for other therapeutic areas. ” Our primary indicators focus on cartilage in the areas of reconstruction andOrthopedicsincluding treatment of complex nasal deformities and spinal degeneration Daniel Cohen, founder and CEO of 3DBio Thrapeutics explains.

A biocompatible human ear created by 3D printing

Thanks Template Made 3D printing and one freeze Composed of collagen and living cells, scientists have succeeded in creating a functional, biocompatible, artificial human ear that can be used for people with deformities. Within months, the cells replace the collagen with real cartilage.

Article by Gianlo Chabot, published on February 25, 2013

The surgery Restoration could usher in a new era: an era3D printing. Usually, specialists use similar products in texture The affected organ, or the restoration of tissue from other parts of the body. This is usually done for ears.

Patients who have lost their outer ear as a result of a incidentFrom cancer or a birth defect called microtia, you receive either a suit made of Material looks like a touch moss From polystyreneor have a part of cartilage Their ribs are used by the surgeon to form the wing. This last strategy, in addition to being painful, is often without real success.

But these times could be over in a few years thanks to researchers fromCornell University (New York). In the open access journal PLUS ONEexplaining how they were able to make a biocompatible prosthetic ear with modern tools.

A 3D printer, some jelly, and you get an ear

The first step is to build a 3D image of the ear to be shaped. Thanks 3D printer, the image becomes a hollow wing- and lobe-shaped mold. A gel is injected into it, consisting of collagen mixed with ear cells from a cow. after, after hardeningThe prosthesis is placed in a nutrient culture medium in order to feed cells So that they can form cartilage. After a few days, the ear is ready to be fitted into place.

To check the biocompatibility and feasibility of its structure, the authors implanted prosthetic ears on Back of mice. The Illegal earning It took well and after three months, the prosthesis became cartilaginous, like a normal organ. Evidence that the device can still be present in a living organism.

Artificial ears will be available in a few years

From design to installation, this process only takes a few days to perform. The authors estimate half a day the time required to obtain picture from the ear. 3D printing takes about 24 hours. The gel injection takes 30 minutes and hardens for only 15 minutes. Add to that a few days of planting and you’re done.

Scientists now hope to be able to work with human ear cells, especially a patient’s cells, to be able to reduce the risk of transplant rejection Inherent in any transplantation with live tissue.

For patients with small ears, researchers suggest that the best age for reconstructive surgery is around 5 or 6 years. At this age, the ear is usually 80% of its size in an adult. The first human trials are expected within three years. If test requests are heard…