Bioprinting
: creating cell patterns using 3D printing technologies, where cell function is preserved within the printed construct
"According to the American Transplant Foundation, more than123,000 people in the United States alone are currently on the waiting list for a lifesaving organ transplant, and another name is added to that list every 12 minutes. The truth is that for thousands of those patients and others around the world, there aren’t enough donated organs to go around. Beyond the possibility of transplantable organs, 3D bioprinting has already been successfully used to create bones, including a vertebra, mandible, and an entire thoracic cage, as well as cartilaginous structures, such as ears and tracheas, all of which have been or could be used in implant surgeries. Future applications of the technology include in-situ 3D bioprinting, which could help repair wounds right on the battlefield, while 3D printed skin could restore normalcy to burn victims."
http://www.3ders.org/articles/20151109-3ders-monday-warm-up-the-top-20-3d-bioprinters.html
http://www.3ders.org/articles/20151109-3ders-monday-warm-up-the-top-20-3d-bioprinters.html
VIDEOS
The following videos provide an overview of a wide variety of current bioprinting procesess. Note the differences in complexity regarding the development of organs that vary in differentiation. For example, which is more difficult -- printing an ear, or printing a heart -- and why?
The following videos provide an overview of a wide variety of current bioprinting procesess. Note the differences in complexity regarding the development of organs that vary in differentiation. For example, which is more difficult -- printing an ear, or printing a heart -- and why?
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SIMULATING THE BIOPRINTING PROCESS
The bioprinting process can be simulated using 3D printers. The organs you print at school will be simulated because they will not use actual human tissue -- you will instead print in a flexible filament such as Ninjaflex. Ninjaflex is available in a wide variety of colors, many of which correlate well with human tissue colors: 
Students will simulate the bioprinting process to create a complete, 1:1 scale model of all major organs in the human body by:
Download the following worksheet for guidance in completing this project. 
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EXAMPLE BIODIGITAL 3D MODEL AND SCULPTRIS MODEL
To view examples of human organs in 3D, check out Biodigital 3D. You'll need to create a free account. Following is an example of a thyroid as seen in Biodigital 3D, and then as modeled in Sculptris:
To view examples of human organs in 3D, check out Biodigital 3D. You'll need to create a free account. Following is an example of a thyroid as seen in Biodigital 3D, and then as modeled in Sculptris:
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Following is a student example of using the Biodigital 3D model (left) as the basis for building her brain, using Sculptris (right).
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RELATED PROJECTS - BIOMECHANICS IN ACTION
Additionally, students engaged in a live dialogue with mechanical engineering professor Brendan O'Toole, PhD, Director of the Mendenhall Innovation Program at UNLV to discuss innovations in biotechnology. Dr. O'Toole showed the students a robotic hand designed and fabricated by UNLV mechanical engineering students for a local child who was born without digits and was in need of a low-cost, scalable prosthetic hand. He also discussed additional projects underway that return functionality to the human body via technology.
Additionally, students engaged in a live dialogue with mechanical engineering professor Brendan O'Toole, PhD, Director of the Mendenhall Innovation Program at UNLV to discuss innovations in biotechnology. Dr. O'Toole showed the students a robotic hand designed and fabricated by UNLV mechanical engineering students for a local child who was born without digits and was in need of a low-cost, scalable prosthetic hand. He also discussed additional projects underway that return functionality to the human body via technology.
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Enthusiasm for 3D printing functional prosthetic hands for children in need grew immediately after Dr. O'Toole's visit. As a result, Startup Incubator students will have the opportunity to partner with the Prosthetic Kids Hand Challenge to print, connect, and deliver prosthetic hands to kids who need them, in both local and far-flung locations. Check out our first print of the prosthetic hand .STL files!
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