In what could be termed as a medical revolution, researchers at the University of Wollongong have developed a device that can help doctors 'draw' new bones, skin and muscle patches on to seriously injured patients, repairing affected parts.
The gadget, a pen like device dubbed as the BioPen, allows doctors to apply live human stem cells directly on impaired and affected bones, enabling and accelerating the process of bone reconstruction.
How the BioPen works?
The BioPen works on a similar fashion as a 3D printing machine. The device delivers live cell matter directly inside a bio-polymer such as alginate, an extract of seaweed. It is protected by a second, outer layer called the gel material.
The BioPen carries the two layers of gel that is spilled onto the bone surface to fill in the injured bone area.
Immediately after dispensing the gel ink, a low powered ultra-violet light, already fixed to the pen, solidifies the gel.
The solidification of gel provides protection for the embedded cells as they are built up layer-by-layer to reconstruct a 3D image in the wound site.
These live human stem sells then grow and multiply into different cells, nerve cells, muscle cells or bone cells, and aid in speedy reconstruction of damaged site and recovery from injury.
"This type of treatment may be suitable for repairing acutely damaged bone and cartilage, for example from sporting or motor vehicle injuries," Professor Peter Choong, Director of Orthopaedics at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, said.
Elated with the new creation, experts in the field feel that the development will significantly improve bone reconstruction surgery in the future.
Biopen-like device to repair broken bone
In what could be termed as a medical revolution, research
ers at the University of Wollongong have developed a de-
vice that can help doctors 'draw' new bones, skin and muscle patches on to seriously injured patients, repairing affected parts.
The gadget, a pen like device dubbed as the BioPen, allows doctors to apply live human stem cells directly on impaired and affected bones, enabling and accelerating the process of bone reconstruction.
How the BioPen works?
The BioPen works on a similar fashion as a 3D printing machine. The device delivers live cell matter directly inside a bio-polymer such as alginate, an extract of seaweed. It is protected by a second, outer layer called the gel material.
The BioPen carries the two layers of gel that is spilled onto the bone surface to fill in the injured bone area.
Immediately after dispensing the gel ink, a low powered ultra-violet light, already fixed to the pen, solidifies the gel.
The solidification of gel provides protection for the embedded cells as they are built up layer-by-layer to reconstruct a 3D image in the wound site.
These live human stem sells then grow and multiply into different cells, nerve cells, muscle cells or bone cells, and aid in speedy reconstruction of damaged site and recovery from injury.
"This type of treatment may be suitable for repairing acutely damaged bone and cartilage, for example from sporting or motor vehicle injuries," Professor Peter Choong, Director of Orthopaedics at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, said.
Elated with the new creation, experts in the field feel that the development will significantly improve bone reconstruction surgery in the future.
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