JERUSALEM, March 15 (Xinhua) -- An international research team has created a 3D-printed implant that could open up new avenues for the treatment of severe tissue damage, according to a statement by the Israel Institute of Technology on Sunday.
The implant, known as a tissue flap, combines muscle and fat tissues with an integrated network of blood and lymphatic vessels, enabling rapid integration into the damaged area. This built-in vascular system delivers oxygen and nutrients immediately, while the lymphatic network removes fluids, critical factors for tissue survival and function.
Currently, patients with major tissue loss require an autologous flap surgery, harvesting tissue from another part of their own body, as transplants from other people are often rejected.
The new engineered flap may overcome these challenges and could lead to personalized implants tailored to each patient's injury.
In experiments on rats, the flap quickly integrated with the host tissue, supporting normal muscle growth, stable fat cells, and proper blood flow.
The researchers used a special bio-ink and a bioreactor to grow the blood vessels under conditions that mimic natural blood flow.
Although tested in rats, the tissues were made from human cells, and the team is now moving to large-animal trials as a step toward clinical use in humans.
This advance represents a major step toward lab-grown, implantable tissues for injuries, burns, and surgeries, according to the statement. Enditem
京公网安备 11010802027341号