3D printing of body parts might seem like science fiction, but it is possible. Scientists are interested in printing living body parts by utilizing special 3D printers. These machines are known as bioprinters, and they use human cells instead of ink. An ordinary 3D printer, layers plastic to create an object; however, a bioprinter, layers cells to create 3-dimensional organs and tissues.
3D printing of body parts will revolutionize the health sector in the UAE. Modern technology allows physicians to use a printer to scan a patient’s wound and print over it. This technology will not only benefit people with limb problems, but also those with neuromuscular diseases.
Benefits of 3D Printed Body Parts
3D printing reduces the cost of getting prosthesis. A conventional prosthetic is quite expensive, but 3D printing is affordable. This technology is not only low-cost production, but the design can be altered effortlessly.
Hiring a 3D printing company Dubai is beneficial because it makes printing body parts faster compared to conventional methods. Patients used to wait for weeks or months to get prosthetic limbs; however, with 3D printing, they can get them within a day.
3D printing also allows for versatility where patients can get limbs according to their preferences. For instance, a patient might want a limb that functions in a specific way or maybe a particular color. Apart from this, 3D printing is improving and becoming compatible with materials that make these printed body parts durable.
Body Parts That Can Be Printed
Bionic Eye
Scientists have successfully developed 3D printed optoelectronic devices using polymeric photodetectors on hemispherical surfaces. The first prototypes could propel the creating of a 3D printed bionic eye, which will be beneficial to people with visual problems.
Although a bionic eye seems futuristic, it has benefited patients who have had an implant. Some patients have regained some visual abilities with others recovering their sight. 3D printing Dubai companies can help many people with this technology.
Antibacterial Tooth
These teeth kill Streptococcus Mutans - bacteria that cause decay. 3D printing has been used in dentistry to make veneers and teeth replacement, but antibacterial teeth are a big leap. The teeth are made with ordinary dental resins and antibacterial ammonium salts.
The teeth are designed with positively-charged antimicrobial resin, which interacts with the outer parts of the bacteria. Once the bacteria touch the material, the positively-charged groups kill the bacteria by making holes in them.
Heart
A 3D printing company Dubai expert can print almost anything; however, with the advance in technology, it is easy to print a 3D heart. Scientists have successfully developed the first 3D printed heart using a patient’s cells.In the past, scientists could only print sample tissues. However, with success in printing a fully functional heart with cells, blood vessels, and chambers, is good news to medical practitioners and patients waiting for transplants.
The heart was developed from human cells with the individuals’ specific biological materials. These materials are the bio-links, which are made from proteins and sugars used in 3D printing for complex tissue models. Although the initial size of the heart was smaller than the human heart, the idea is to keep improving.
Skin
Scientists believe that it is now possible to develop 3D printed skin with blood vessels. This will be beneficial to burn victims in need of skin grafting; this could speed up the healing process. Apart from this, researchers have also developed a lightweight 3D printer that creates skin tissues to healing deep wounds and covering wounds. This device is not only portable, but it also creates the tissues according to an individual and wound/burn characteristics.Elastic Bone
What’s the deal with an elastic bone? This is beneficial if the patient is a kid who needs bone repair or implant. 3D printing of hyper-elastic bones, which can trigger quick bone growth and regeneration, would benefit many patients.These bones are made of hydroxyapatite, a mineral found in our bones, together with a small mass of a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer. The high levels of hydroxyapatite and the bone’s unique structure promote fast bone regeneration for patients. Although hydroxyapatite is weak, the 3D printed bone is sturdy because of the polymer. These bones could also make facial reconstruction and skull surgeries easier.
3D printing has revolutionized many parts of our lives, and this includes our health. 3D printing of body parts is not only beneficial for healthcare stakeholders but also for patients. Replacement of body parts will be less expensive, and scientists can make complex organs such as bionic eyes.
