A world-first medical trial is taking place at Concord Hospital in Sydney, Australia. Using a patient’s own skin cells, biomaterials can be printed directly onto a wound, helping to rebuild tissue to treat patients with burn injuries.
“This is life-changing technology that can make a world of difference to people with burns injuries and soft tissue loss and further enhances Concord Burns Unit’s reputation as a developing centre of excellence for burns care globally,” New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said in a statement.
The new procedure aims to use the patient’s own cells and was developed by Inventia Life Science. By working with the Skin Laboratory at the hospital the team have been able to use new techniques to generate new skin using a robotic 3D printer called the LIGŌ Surgical Robot.
“LIGŌ has the ability to reconstruct all layers of the tissue enabling regeneration in a physiological manner with the potential to enhance healing, improve integration, and ultimately reduce or eliminate the need for grafts altogether,” explains the Inventia Life Science website.
According to a video by 9 News Queensland, five patients have already received 3D printed skin, with five more scheduled to undergo the procedure before the trial moves on to the next phase.
One patient, Rebecca Jane Torbruegge, received the treatment after burning her leg during a go-karting experience. The team believe that this kind of treatment could promote faster recovery and reduced pain in patients. “I was so surprised there was no pain – I was expecting some pain – at least in the spot where they took the graft – but it was fine. My biggest issue was staying still for six days!” said Torbruegge.
For Torbruegge and the other patients in the trial the machine is currently used to print skin on a wound caused when a skin graft is taken to treat a burn site. The researchers are hoping the machine will be able to 3D print directly onto the burn sites as well as deeper wounds in the future.
“This is the future. It is a world first, at Concord Hospital, to 3D print at the bedside,” said Dr Jo Maitz, Group Lead of the Burns and Reconstructive Surgery Research Group.
Source Link: World-First 3D-Printed Skin Robot Aims To Help Burn Patients In Australia
