Scientists in the US have developed a groundbreaking method that uses ultrasound to 3D print materials inside the body. This innovative technique, known as deep tissue in vivo sound printing (DISP), has shown promising results in animal studies, indicating its potential for delivering cancer drugs directly to organs and facilitating tissue repair.
The process involves injecting a specialized bioink into the body, comprising polymer chains and crosslinking agents that form a hydrogel structure. The key to this method lies in encapsulating the crosslinking agents within lipid-based particles called liposomes, which release the agents upon exposure to focused ultrasound, creating the hydrogel at the targeted site.
Unlike previous approaches that relied on infrared light for in-body 3D printing, ultrasound offers deeper penetration, enabling the bioinks to reach muscles and organs. This advancement opens up a wide range of applications with excellent biocompatibility, as highlighted by Wei Gao, a biomedical engineer at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
By precisely controlling the ultrasound beam, researchers successfully printed complex shapes within the body, demonstrating the versatility and precision of the DISP technique. Apart from its aesthetic potential, the hydrogel produced through DISP has shown therapeutic benefits in animal models, including tissue regeneration, drug delivery, and physiological monitoring.
Imaging contrast agents, such as gas vesicles, were incorporated into the bioink to visualize the printing process and confirm successful reactions. In experiments conducted on rabbits, artificial tissue pieces were printed up to 4 centimeters deep, showcasing the method’s potential for accelerating wound healing and injury recovery, particularly when combined with cell incorporation into the bioink.
Moreover, tests on 3D cell cultures of bladder cancer revealed promising results, with the slow release of chemotherapy drugs from the printed hydrogel leading to enhanced cancer cell death compared to traditional drug injection methods. The versatility of DISP was further demonstrated by incorporating additional components like carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires for developing implantable sensors.
Notably, the researchers observed no toxicity associated with the hydrogel, and any residual bioink was naturally eliminated from the body within a week. While further studies are needed to transition from animal trials to human applications, the prospect of in-body 3D printing for biomedical purposes holds significant promise.
Looking ahead, the research team aims to advance their work by testing the method in larger animal models with the ultimate goal of human trials. Leveraging artificial intelligence, they envision achieving high-precision printing within dynamic organs like the beating heart, underscoring the transformative potential of this cutting-edge technology.
The study detailing this pioneering approach was recently published in the prestigious journal Science, marking a significant milestone in the realm of biomedical innovation.
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