Researchers are using a mechanism similar to ink-jet printer to develop skin-printing system whose products could be used for treating wounds.
Standard ink-jet printer's technology has inspired US scientists to use almost a similar system in the production of damaged or burned skin.
During the process, first the scientists take a sample of skin from the patient, then separate, and replicate the cells in large quantities. After that, they put the produced cells on a cartridge in the printer to form and print skin sheets.
"We started out by taking a typical desktop ink-jet cartridge. Instead of ink we use cells, which are placed in the cartridge," said Dr. Anthony Atala, director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
The project is in pre-clinical phases and Wake Forest is going to receive approximately $50 million fund from the US Defense Department to develop operational human skin producing system.
The technique involves a portable bioprinter that could be carried to wounded soldiers on the battlefield, where it would scan the injury, take cells from the patient and print a section of compatible skin.
Another technique uses a three-dimensional printer combining donor cells, biofriendly gel and other materials to build cartilage.
Scientists from Wake Forest, Cornell University and the Medical University of South Carolina presented the findings at an American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Washington.
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