Scientists have created a robot that can print cells on organs inside the body (video)

The potential of 3D bioprinting has been further expanded thanks to the work of engineers. They have developed a soft robotic arm that can print directly on organs and tissues inside the human body.

The so-called bioprintingused mainly for research and development of new drugs. It requires the use of large 3D printers to create structures that are surgically implanted into the body, which comes with certain risks, including tissue injury and the risk of infection. And since biomaterials are usually fragile structures, they can be damaged during the implantation process.

UNSW engineers have developed a miniature, flexiblea soft robotic arm that can be inserted into the body like an endoscope and deliver biomaterials directly to the surface of organs and tissues.

The trial device, called F3DB, is externally controlled and consists of a long, flexible robotic arm, at the end of which is a highly maneuverable swivel head that “prints” bioink.

Engineers have successfully tested F3DB out of body onflat and curved surfaces, including inside an artificial colon and on the surface of a porcine kidney, using chocolate, composite gel and biomaterials.

Source: edu