At Cornell University, researchers created a new ear using 3-D printer and inject living cells into the ear. This field of tissue regeneration could give new ears to children born with malformed ones, or people who lost to an accident or disease. There are a couple steps to create a new ear with 3-D printing. First step is to craft a human-shaped ear from cow’s cartilage but next step still needs more research in “how to cultivate enough of a child’s remaining ear cartilage in the lab to grow an entirely new ear that could be implanted in the right spot.” Dr. Jason Spect of Weill Cornell Medical Center is working on this research. Three-dimensional printers used typically in manufacturing has now move into medicine. Nowadays, prosthetics require a rod fasten to the head for people who want new ears. Children that need new ears go through a big operation where doctor remove hard cartilage surrounding ribs. But with 3-D printers the child’s head would be scanned with a 3-D camera for an image of the existing ear to match. This process is easy and no risks at all. Once the scan is complete, a soft mold of the ear is created. The mold is injected with cow cells that will produce cartilage and in three months a flexible and workable outer ear is produced. Cartilage can survive with blood vessels growing inside also its the tissue most adaptable to 3-D printing technology.
This is an excellent step in technological advancement. 3-D printing will change the lives of people needing a new ear. People from all around the world can now produce a replacement ear. Also, 3-D printing can create different body parts as well. The future of 3-D printing in medicine field is endless. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/scientists-create-new-ear_n_2728612.html?utm_hp_ref=technology
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