The website of Rice University (Houston, Texas) published , which reports on the development of technology that removes a major obstacle to the industrial production of artificial human organs. Such an obstacle is the production of a vascular structure in living tissue, which brings nutrition, oxygen to the cells and serves as conductors of air, blood and lymph. The vascular structure must be well branched and remain tear-resistant when transporting substances under pressure.
To print tissue with a vascular system, scientists used a modified 3D printer. The printer prints with a special hydrogel one layer per pass. After each layer, the model is fixed with a blue light exposure. The resolution of an experienced printer is from 10 to 50 microns. To test the technology, the scientists printed a scale model of the lungs and a set of cells that mimic liver cells. Tests have shown that artificial lungs withstand pressure drops and successfully cope with oxygen saturation of blood cells that were pumped through the system of artificial vessels.
Cookies are even more fun. A small block with artificial liver cells was implanted for 14 days in the liver of a live mouse. During the experiment, the cells showed viability. They did not die, although food was supplied to them through artificial vessels. Smokers and drinkers have hope for a second chance. Seriously, the implementation of the presented technology will save lives and restore health to many categories of patients. This is the case when technology is vital, and not just promising convenience and comfort.
Source: 3dnews.ru