3D printing in healthcare isn’t new however recently there has been an explosion in research and treatments offered by this technology. Primary early uses are in implants, which can be precisely printed on demand for individual patient measurements. Experiments are also being conducted with printers capable of printing organs, such as kidneys, using a mixture of human tissue and stem cells. Research continues to be conducted in materials and measurement to expand the potential uses.
Bioprinting is the process of constructing human tissue and organs. In fact, researchers have created a bio-engineered human ear with the help of 3D printing technology. The following companies and organizations are leaders of this cutting-edge medical technology and research:
envisionTEC uses a team of in-house experts in optical, mechanical, and electrical engineering to produce the most reliable Rapid Prototyping system in the world using its core based technology of selective light modulation.
Organovo designs functional human tissues. Their bioprinting technology enables the creation of 3D tissues that more accurately reproduce native tissues.
Researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine uses modified ink-jet technology to build a variety of tissue and organ prototypes. This technology allows multiple cell types and other tissue components to be arranged in pre-determined locations with high precision.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bio-printing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing
