Currently, technology is advancing and one of the latest developments in the medical world is, Bio printing technology. This is translated into organ printing, which is done via 3D printing. 3D printing is the manufacturing method in which builds models, which include: plastic, metal, liquids, and living cells such as this technology is being discussed.
This technology advancement is the possibility of printing human organs, from life cells. This has been in the making from millions being spent on research and a breakthrough has been done. The first to begin researching and seeing if this was a possibility is Charles Hull, when he invented the Stereoscopic method in 1983. This process had begun to solidify the polymer material, which therefore would extrude it from a nozzle, all of this was relied upon a laser; like today. The basic understanding of this, had concluded that, an objects 3D shape can be designed within a computer aided software and then be sent to a printer for printing.
Following the discovery of Charles Hull, a group of Israeli scientists were the first ones to begin printing and had printed a heart using human cells. The heart was formed using ‘bio ink’, which was from human cells.
The point of 3D medical printing, is due to speeding up surgical procedures, also produces cheaper surgical tools. Within the united states, it is predicated that the market value of the 3D printing will reach a staggering 1.2 Billion by 2020.
This is an emerging technology and has never been seen within the 21st century however, it can save millions of lives, due to the waiting of an organ-donor taking time, and the one thing a patient does not have is, time. Within the locality of Australia, the average time of organ transplant is 6 months to 4 years, and the number of patients is 1,400; however, could differ due to the organ. Due to this device, the number can be shortened and the waiting time can be cut. This is the future of medicine, by helping individuals which life threatening diseases by needing organs, in which lives can be saved.
The printing of the organ is done with the 3D printing and the low cost of the printers and the availability of the device being accessible within the world makes it a huge step, of being an emerging technology. The advancement within this era of technology, this device of printing human organs is achievable and would be an essential product within the medical field. This could therefore enable, sustainable manufactures, which would be affordable products/ components.
All of this is a stepping stone in helping individuals within the world, as it is a convenient way of helping to save lives, instead of waiting. It would boost the health of many sick people, and boost the medical field finically.
References:
All3DP. (2019). 5 Most Promising 3D Printed Organs for Transplant | All3DP. https://all3dp.com/2/5-most-promising-3d-printed-organs-for-transplant/
Healthcare IT Australia. (2019). 3D printing implants and organs is the new reality. https://www.healthcareit.com.au/article/3d-printing-implants-and-organs-new-reality
Healthcare IT Australia. (2019). Breakthrough in the 3D printing of human organs https://www.healthcareit.com.au/article/breakthrough-3d-printing-human-organs
3D Supply Guys. (2019). Why is 3D Printing Important
https://3dsupplyguys.com/blogs/3d-printing-education/why-is-3d-printing-important
PCMAG. (2019). 3D Printing: What You Need to Know.
https://www.pcmag.com/article/289175/3d-printing-what-you-need-to-know
Abdirahman Ali blog 