3D printer of skin cells for the treatment of severe burns

A team of researchers from Canada has successfully tested a new portable 3D printer. This could treat severe burns by printing new skin cells directly on a wound. Although the new project is at an early stage of development, it may offer a way to treat patients whose injuries are too large to allow skin grafts.

3D printer replaces skin graft surgery

bioprinting procedure replaces skin grafting for severe burns

The lead author, Professor Axel Günther from the University of Toronto, commented on this. “Skin grafts, in which the damaged tissue is removed and replaced with skin from another area of ​​the patient's body, is a standard treatment for severe burns. In cases where a patient has extensive full-thickness burns that destroy both the top and bottom layers of skin, there is not always enough healthy skin to use. “

There are alternatives, such as grafts made from bovine collagen grown in a test tube or artificially produced skin replacements. However, none of them are perfect for this. They are based on tissues and cells that surround and heal a wound completely. The manufacture of skin replacements, on the other hand, can take many weeks. “In addition, these methods are rarely used successfully in a patient when the combustion area is too large.

In order to overcome these challenges, the research team developed the practical hand-held device. Doctors can use this to place preliminary sheets directly on wounds of any size, shape or topography. You can use a biological printer ink based on fibrin. It is a protein that is involved in blood clotting and is infused with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). These support the growth of local cells and the immune response of the body. The ink then comes directly from the device's soft roller onto the wound.

Medical perspectives

Burnt area on the skin treated with 3D printer and artificial skin cells

“The wound surfaces that we designed for this device are neither flat nor horizontal. The main advantages of the 3D printer are that it could enable the uniform deposition of a layer on inclined surfaces. The co-author, Marc Jeschke, announced this.

“In this study, we tested whether the device could do this effectively by using it to treat full thickness burns in pigs. We have found that the device has deposited the skin layers evenly, safely and reliably on the wounds. The layers stayed in place with very little movement.

“Most significantly, the MSC-treated wounds healed extremely well with a reduction in inflammation, scarring, and contraction compared to the untreated and collagen-treated wounds.”

“We are very happy about this successful test. In addition to the excellent results, we have shown that the device offers a user-friendly method for the safe delivery of cells and biomaterial. However, more studies are needed. The signs are promising and the potential clinical uses for the device go well beyond full-thickness burns. “

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