3D Printing has been getting a lot of focus lately…

Here is another potential use for the 3D printer, body part replacements! Referred to as Bioprinting, the process is used to make biological tissue such as skin, bone and cartilage. 3D printing has been around for over twenty years but researchers recently began using it to create biological structures. The idea is to make custom designed tissue and organs from a patient’s own cells which may in turn eliminate the need for donated organs. While the research is ongoing there has been some interesting research being done at the Medical University of South Carolina by Vladimir Mironov who is the director of the Bioprinting Research Center at the university.

Dr. Mironov MD, PhD explains that Bioprinting is a mixture of both Art, Science and Technology. In his mission statement titled: On Art and Science: Bioprinting & Pygmalion’s Dream? he discussing how his vision of this science was born from his artistic beginnings. He talks about how in the scientist’s everyday life they are constantly using art to describe and show their ideas, whether it is through description, drawings, photography, or modeling they use artistic methods to present their ideas to others.

Their Roadmap shows the starting with creating blood vessels to carry blood and nutrients to the cells in the tissue that they want to create. This is the first step in creating the infrastructure of the organ replacements. It certainly is an exciting time to be alive and it will be interesting to see how this research progresses in the years to come.

Comments

[Tim Little]

I don't know how practical 3D printing is outside of the medical field but if you're looking for a more practical type of printer for small business. The dymo is great for printing lists and labels at the same time. Printing labels and stamps at the same time without spending money on print cartridges.