Doctors from US biotechnology company 3DBio Therapeutics have successfully sewed a new ear on a patient made up of his own cells and printed on a 3D printer.
Congenital underdevelopment of the ear occurs in 1 in 2,000 to 10,000 children, which in itself does not pose a serious danger, but may affect self-esteem.
The specialists scanned the patient’s healthy ear and took samples of cartilage. Then the right amount of chondrocytes were grown, mixed with the collagen-based bio-junction, and a new ear was 3D printed.
The future implant was surrounded by a special biodegradable shell that supports it at the initial stage and then decomposes. Then the ear was successfully sutured to a patient with a pinna.
Over time it is expected that the implanted ear will take on a more natural appearance, and as the nerves in it grow, acquire sensitivity.
A total of 11 patients will participate in the trial. In the future, specialists plan to print new ears for people with a more severe form of the auricle.
3D-printed implants can also be used for other cartilage conditions, including nasal defects, injuries, breast reconstruction, knee meniscus injury, or a rotator cuff tear in the shoulder.
