Blood Vessel Bio Printer

Introduction:

Creating a synthetic network of blood vessels to support organs that scientists have created artificially from the heart, liver, and lungs has been one of researchers greatest challenge. Blood vessels incredibly important because they are vital to the body's circulatory system supplying organs with nutrients and remove wastes. Researchers are able to create artificial blood vessels within the lab using 3D printers, which can be used for transplants and to test for new drugs.  (B)

Research:

On October 25, 2015 the Revotek (Chinese Co.) released the world's very first 3D blood vessel bioprinter where two nozzles work alternatively so that the bioprinter can finish a 10cm blood vessel within 2 minutes. The core of the pinter, 'BioBrick', holds within it stem cells wher when the perfect conditions are met so that the stem cell can differentiate into the cells that the scientists need. BioBrick refers to stem cell producing system with a biomimetic function. The major difference in 3D blood vessel bioprinting (compared to regular 3D printings) is that the stem cells are kept active during the process.(A) Discovering methods to keep vascular cells and other active substances alive are just some of the goals.  Not only does this type of printing print one blood vessel but it is capable of printing livers, kidneys, as well as other organs in the human body. Although the release of the worlds very first 3D blood vessel bioprinter is a mjor breakthrough in scientific research holding an incredible amount of potential to help patients, there needs a long period of time before it can be applied to human medical care. (A)

Methods:

There are two ways in which researchers can use 3D printing. They can either print the actual cells or they can print a structure on which they can grow the cells (later dissolving). However, caution needs to be applied during these processes and methods because printing cells often times damages or kills them.  The substances that get dissolved-mentioned above- can be harmful to cells in our body. In Khademhosseini's tissue study, he and his team were able to print a template for cell growth that can later be pulled out before damaging cells. A network of tiny channels of agarose as the role of template for artificial blood vessels was embedded into the passages of the gel structure. Here mouse cells were grown to develop into bone. (B)

*agarose is a polymer made from seaweed which is often used for culturing cells*

Results:

The blood vessels can effectively transport fluids, support living cells, and allow the cells to mature. The cells were also able to rearrange themselves into a layer of cells on the templates. (B)

Concluding Remarks:

The reason as to why this is such a milestone in medical research is that,  there is a significant need for blood vessels as well as tissue donor transplant. Even if patients who need an organ transplant were lucky enough to receive one, there is a great chance that the patients immune system will reject the new body part

Links:
(A) http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/china-revotek-releases-worlds-first-3d-blood-vessel-bioprinter-1525757
(B)http://www.livescience.com/46067-3d-printed-blood-vessels.html

*These images do not belong to me! They were found on various tumblr sites! If any belong to you please let me know so that I can give you credit for them- Thanks so much !