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Israeli researchers say they created the first three-dimensional or a heart printed in 3D using a patient's own cells.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University recently announced the experiment and unveiled the new 3D printed heart. Their conclusions were published in the journal Advanced Science. They described the experience as "a major medical project breakthrough. "
The main researcher of the project was Tal Dvir University professor. He said in a statement that it was the first time that human cells were used with 3D printing technology to successfully create a complete heart. Dvir added that the "printed" heart contains blood ships which are needed to pump blood.
Until recently, scientists working on medical methods combining biology and technology were only successful in 3D printing of "simple tissue without blood vessels," said the research team.
The artificial heart presented by the Israeli team was not big enough to be graft in a human. "At this point, our 3D heart is small, about the size of a rabbit's heart," explained Dvir. "But big human hearts need the same technology."
This development marks a step forward for 3D printing in the medical field. The technology has already been extended to many industries and has been developed to produce devices such as firearms, cars and homes.
The researchers wrote that they were taking adipose tissue samples from patients. This material was then used to develop an "ink" for the 3D printing process. First of all, the researchers created patches tissue from the patient's cells. Later, they used this same process to create a small version of a whole heart.
According to Dvir, the use of the patient's own cells is important to reduce the risk that the body's system of infection control rejects a transplanted organ.
The researchers said the goal was to treat heart disease. According to the World Health Organization, heart disease is by far the leading cause of death in the world. For patients with serious heart disease, heart transplantation is currently the main treatment available. The researchers hope their invention will help reduce the demand for heart transplant donors.
Dvir says that the newly created heart represents great progress. However, more research and development is needed to produce a fully operable and transplantable organ. For example, he stated that heart cells will have to be fully formed parts that can work together to efficiently pump blood.
One of the biggest challenges for the engineering team will find a way to create a human-sized heart.
Dvir said his team is planning to transplant heart models designed for animals, probably in the next year. He added that, for human use, "simpler organs" will probably be produced before hearts.
"Maybe in ten years, there will be organ printers in the best hospitals in the world," said Dvir. He added that he hoped such methods would be used "regularly"To produce organs in the future.
In 2017, the Israeli Ministry of Health formed a group to examine issues related to the use of 3D printing technology in the medical field, the Israeli newspaper reported. Haaretz reported.
Samer Srouji, a member of the group, was working at Galilee Medical Center in the coastal city of Nahariya. He told the paper that while 3D printing in medicine was very promising, it could also cause problems.
"There have also been cases that have led to complicationscausing infection and harm to the patient, "he said. "This domain requires settlementwith the protocols and clear guidelines in place, "he added.
I am Bryan Lynn.
Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Tel Aviv University, Agence France-Presse and Haaretz Online. Mario Ritter was the publisher.
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Words in this story
three-dimensional – adj. having or seeming to have a length, width, depth
breakthrough – not. a discovery or an important development
ship – not. small tube that carries blood through the body
transplant – v. operation in which a new organ is put into the body of somebody
piece – not. piece of equipment used to repair the damaged parts of something
challenge – not. a difficult task or problem
regularly – adv. regularly or often
complication – not. a new medical problem that develops when someone is treated for an illness
settlement – not. an official rule that controls how something is done
protocol – not. rules on what you should do and how you should behave in official situations
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