Canadian scientists reported a new achievement in the field of regenerative medicine. We are talking about the successful testing of the device, development of which began more than a decade ago.
the purpose of the scientists was the creation of a 3D printer, printing the new fabric directly on the sores, primarily on the burns. Usually a treatment of last used skin grafts: it is necessary to remove a fragment of skin from an undamaged part of the body of the patient and close the wound.
“However, in cases where the patient has extensive burns and damaged both the upper and lower layers of the skin, is not always enough healthy skin to transplant”, denotes the problem of lead author Axel Gunther (Axel Guenther) from the University of Toronto.
According to him, alternative ways to treat extensive and deep burns: a matrix of bovine collagen or artificial skin substitutes is not always effective.
Gunther and his colleagues decided that the best solution would be a 3D printer to print new tissues, consisting of cells of the patient.
the First prototype of such a device the size of a microwave oven was created in 2014. Four years later the team unveiled a new model – a more compact printer weighing less than two pounds. He was the first of its kind device, which forms a fabric in the right place within two minutes.
Since then, the engineers added another ten important modifications.
the Researchers demonstrate improved 3D printer.Photo By Daria Perevezentsev.
the Current prototype has a disposable microfluidic cartridge holder and soft cushion that distributes biomaterial. The wounds are covered with layers of cells, stripe for stripe.
Biochemie printer consist of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCS). These are stem cells that differenciate into specialized cell types depending on environmental conditions.
Bicernil included fibrin – a protein that controls blood clotting (it is, for example, are sponges and tape to stop bleeding when damage to small blood vessels during surgical operations).
“Surface wounds, for which we developed this device, not flat and oriented horizontally. The most important advantage of the printer is that it provides an even application layers biochannel even on a sloping surface,” said co-author Dr. Marc Jeschke (Jeschke Marc) of Sunnybrookca health Sciences centre.
it is also Important that MSCS contribute to the regeneration of the skin and minimize scarring.
“Previously we proved that we can cause the cells on the burn, but there was no evidence that it gives any benefits in wound healing. Now we demonstrated it,” – said Axel Guenther.
His team have conducted preclinical tests of a new printer on pigs. Animals had deep burns affecting the outer and inner layers of the skin.
Tests showed that the layers biochannel applied directly to the wound bed, facilitate the formation of new populations of dermal cells and blood vessels.
“the Device was applied evenly, safely and reliably. Wounds, treated with MSCS healed extremely well: levels of inflammation, tightening and scarring was lower in comparison with untreated wounds and wounds closed collagen frame,” said mark Jeschke.
the Team believes that in the next five years – after small improvements and, most important, clinical trials – a portable 3D printer to print new skin will add to the vehicle operating. This device can completely change the practice of treating burns and injuries, believe the developers.
read More about the new prototype is discussed in an article presented in the journal Biofabrication.
by the Way, before “News.Science” told about the other bio-printer that prints skin pover wounds, and the nanogel that speeds up the healing of burns.
Text: To.Science
