3D printed hearts ‘on the horizon’
pharmafile | May 8, 2014 | News story | Medical Communications, Sales and Marketing | 3D, heart, louisville, printing, williams
The ‘inherent design flaws’ of the human heart could become a thing of the past as new 3D printing technology aims to build a new version of the muscle within the next decade.
This is according to US researchers and lead scientist Dr Stuart Williams of the University of Louisville in Kentucky, who say the same 3D printing technique that has already been used to create nose and face implants will ultimately lead to custom-made organs that could remedy some of the ‘design flaws’ in the human heart.
The technique would use cells from a patient’s own body, thus eliminating the organ rejection that can bedevil transplants.
Although Williams concedes that creating a human heart within a decade is ‘ambitious’, he says: “Ten years is a long time. If you think when John F. Kennedy said, ‘We’ll put a man on the Moon, and bring him back by the end of the decade’, there were a lot of people who laughed at that also, and that was pretty complex.”
The theory behind 3D printing has been known for many years now and can be used to create a variety of things from vases to guns. As the cost has fallen scientists are increasingly hopeful that the technique could revolutionise other areas such as health.
The US researchers have already made a ‘bio-assembly robot’ in order to create new networks of blood vessels – this works by laying down layers of a patient’s own cells that are initially held together by a collagen glue that dissolves inside the body.
The bio-assembly robot, which is modelled on a car production line, could ultimately print hearts for less than $100,000 (£59,000) each, according to Williams.
“When you put all the parts together you end up with a total ‘bioficial’ heart,” he says. “We’re going about this the way you would build an airplane. If you try to start at the wheels and built it from there up, it’s going to be a bit complex.”
Artificial blood vessels are nearing human trials after being tested in mice, rats and pigs, and other parts are almost there, although electric cells are still being worked on in the laboratory, he adds.
Challenging timeline
He admits that bringing the components together would be hugely challenging, but believes that there will be concrete benefits on the way. “The critical thing that will come out of this is we’re going to be able to print parts of the heart that are going to help young kids with congenital defects. I think that will take place within five years.”
Earlier this year, researchers at the University of Louisville built a 3D printed model of a toddler’s heart so doctors could better analyse and treat his condition. The project and surgery were successful. In other areas of the university, like the Cardiovascular Institute, researchers are pushing the limits even farther.
Right now, Williams and his team are working on many bioprinting projects for the cardiovascular system. They have looked at the pancreas, which could be made to work better for diabetics, as well as kidney tissue and bone tissue that could be replaced if a patient is sick or injured.
Ben Adams
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