July 10, 2025 • 23 mins
This is an AI-generated audio version of the news section of the Lattice Newsletter. You can find the full newsletter, including a list of recent healthcare 3D printing and bioprinting news here.
Full Lattice Newsletter Archive.
Highlighted news this week:
• US Army developing field-deployable bioprinting labs for creating custom skin grafts in combat zones
• Stanford researchers designing organ-scale vascular trees for 3D-printed hearts 200 times faster than previous methods
• First patient treated with a bioengineered external liver (ELAP) for acute liver failure
• Researchers creating 3D bioprinted brain models that mimic real neural networks for studying Alzheimer's
• FDA-cleared monolithic full-color 3D printed dentures (Trudent) revolutionizing dental prosthetics
• New polymer blend for 3D printed medical devices kills 99.99999% of common bacteria
• World's first 3D-printed femur transplant in an 8-year-old child in Vietnam
• Healthcare systems bringing 3D printing capabilities directly into hospitals for point-of-care manufacturing
• Six key trends: hyper-personalization, point-of-care manufacturing, advanced materials, increased efficiency, addressing healthcare challenges, and regulatory progress
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to the Deep Dive, your shortcut to
being well-informed.
Today, we're plunging intosomething truly remarkable the
cutting edge of 3D printing andbiofabrication.
We're pulling directly from thelatest 3D Heels Lattice
newsletter for this deep dive,and specifically, this is deep
dive number 87.
(00:20):
That's right.
The pace of innovation in thesefields is just well incredible,
and these sources offer afantastic snapshot of where the
tech is heading, giving you areal advantage in understanding
what's next.
So let's unpack this incrediblestack of new developments.
See what wonders await.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Absolutely.
Our mission for this deep divereally is to take these diverse
pieces of news, maybe group theminto some clear categories,
clarify any technical terms orabbreviations that pop up and,
most importantly I think,identify the overarching trends
that are truly shaping thefuture of medicine and well
beyond.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Yeah, show people not just what's happening, but why
it matters Right the broaderimplication why it matters for
all of us.
Absolutely.
And when we talk about what'shappening, I mean one of the
most explosive areas of growthhas to be bioprinting, literally
building with biology.
Oh, for sure, as we startlooking at the you know, the
living tissue side of things,what are some of the most
(01:14):
fascinating developments jumpingout?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Well, what's truly fascinating here is just how
rapidly this field is evolving.
It brings breakthroughs, yeah,but also some surprising
challenges.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Like what.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
For instance, researchers at the University of
Queensland found that, while 3Dbioprinting is booming, our
current patent laws are actuallystruggling to keep pace.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
Really how so.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
It's kind of ironic, but if bioprinted tissues become
too realistic, too good,exactly, they might actually
struggle to secure patents.
It's creating this sort ofglobal confusion and risking
crucial funding.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
That's a fascinating paradox, isn't it?
Success creating its own hurdle?
How might this patent law issueimpact research funding or the
speed of innovations reachingpatients?
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Well, it definitely creates significant uncertainty
for investors, for researchers,If the intellectual property
isn't clearly defined andprotected, it just slows down
the whole commercializationpipeline, potentially delaying
life-saving technologies.
But you know, despite thathurdle, the work continues at an
astonishing pace, especiallywhen it comes to skin and tissue
(02:20):
engineering.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
OK, so what's pioneering in that space right
now?
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Well, take the US Army, for example.
They're really pushing forwardwith 3D printed skin.
They have a cooperativeresearch and development
agreement, that's a CRIDO, withthe University of Hawaii.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
A CRIDO okay.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
And the goal is pretty groundbreaking to treat
battlefield injuries like severeburns, chemical exposure,
infections directly in the field.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
The vision is really ambitious.
Imagine field deployablebioprinting labs in remote
conflict zones, able to savelives right there by printing
custom skin grafts.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Field deployable bioprinting labs for trauma care
.
I mean that soundstransformative, but what are the
biggest logistical hurdles tomaking that a widespread reality
for medics on the front line?
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Oh, huge challenges.
Transporting and maintainingsensitive biomaterials the
biopritters themselves, in harsh, unpredictable environments.
That's tough, yeah, butadvancements like Stony Brook's
TRACE tech are helping.
Trace that stands for Tunable,Rapid Assembly of Collagenous
Elements.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
TRACE.
Okay, got it.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Right, it's basically a new method that rapidly
assembles collagen, you know, afundamental building block of
tissue for better, fasterbioprinting.
Ah, this is a prettysignificant leap for tissue
engineering.
It allows for quicker, moreprecise construction of complex
biological structures, which youknow could make field
deployment more feasible downthe line.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Faster, better bioprinting.
Okay, so the foundationalscience is definitely moving
forward, but when we think aboutbioprinting, I guess the
ultimate dream for many iscreating whole organs, right?
How close are we actuallygetting to that?
Speaker 2 (03:54):
We are seeing some incredible developments, yeah,
on an organ scale.
Stanford researchers, forinstance, have created a new
algorithm.
It designs organ-scale vasculartrees for 3D-printed hearts.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Vascular trees, so like the blood vessel networks.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Exactly the intricate network that supplies the organ
and this algorithm.
It generates these complexnetworks 200 times faster than
previous methods.
That's a crucial step towardsmaking truly functional
bioprinted organs.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Wow, 200 times faster .
That speed increase isn't justa number, is it?
It must fundamentally changewhat's possible in organ design.
What does that mean for thetimeline to actually seeing a,
you know, transplantablefunctional organ?
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Well, it dramatically shortens the design phase that
used to be a major bottleneck.
Now a fully functionaltransplantable organ Still some
time away?
Definitely Sure, butbreakthroughs like this bring it
much, much closer.
It accelerates the researchexponentially.
And speaking of organs UnitedTherapeutics and Intermountain
Health they've achieved a realmedical milestone They've
(04:55):
treated the first patient everwith a bioengineered external
liver.
It's called mural liver, elap.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
An external liver.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Yeah, it offers new hope for acute liver failure
patients who don't havetransplant options available,
kind of a bridge or even adestination therapy.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
So we're not just thinking about replacing organs,
but also supporting themexternally.
That's interesting.
What about advancements thatcould lead to internal organ
support, like for chronicconditions?
Speaker 2 (05:19):
On that front.
Yeah, there's some reallypromising research on a scalable
3D bioprinting platform.
It uses human pancreaticdecellularized extracellular
matrix ECM bioing.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
ECM bioing Okay.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
The aim there is to create functional islet
constructs for type 1 diabetestherapy.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Ah, the pancreas.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Exactly Preserving islet viability and insulin
secretion for over 21 days inthe lab.
So far, this brings us closer,potentially, to a clinically
translatable bioartificialpancreas, a potential long-term
solution for millions.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
This ability to create functional tissue on
demand.
That must tie into neurologicalmodels too, I imagine.
Recreating brain tissue forresearch sounds like a
monumental task.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Monumental is right, but researchers are now using 3D
printed bioscaffolds todifferentiate iPSCs.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Those are the induced pluripotent stem cells.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Correct, differentiating them into neural
progenitors and then into motorneurons.
This paves the way for reallypowerful new models for
neurodegenerative diseases andpotential therapies down the
road, and we now have new 3Dbioprinted brain models that
actually mimic real neuralnetworks.
They have aligned axons,region-specific responses,
(06:32):
making them incredibly powerfultools for studying complex
conditions like Alzheimer's oreven things like alcohol-related
neurotoxicity.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
The ability to model these diseases with such
precision.
Yeah, that's truly a gamechanger for research, for drug
discovery.
And all of this relies oncutting edge materials, I assume
Are we seeing new bioinksemerging constantly?
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Definitely, innovation in materials is key.
For example, researchers at theUniversity of Arkansas
developed a novel bioink fromdrought tolerant sorghum protein
.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Sorghum like the grain.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Yeah.
What's special is it'shydrophobic and gluten-free,
makes it suitable for printingvarious food or medicine gels.
It's another example of howmaterials innovation is
constantly expanding thepossibilities, even hinting at
new applications beyond directmedical treatment.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
The scale of innovation here is just.
It's breathtaking when youthink about printing custom skin
grafts for immediatebattlefield trauma, or creating
a functional pancreas forsomeone with type 1 diabetes, or
even brain models to find acure for Alzheimer's.
It's not just about treatingconditions anymore, is it?
(07:39):
It feels like it'sfundamentally redefining what's
possible in health care.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
It really is.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
This isn't just technology.
It feels like a profound shifttowards what many are calling
truly personalized regenerativemedicine.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Precisely.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
So, from the complexity of internal organs
let's pivot maybe to somethingequally intricate but maybe
overlooked sometimes our smiles.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Ah, dentistry yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
It's fascinating to see how 3D printing is also
revolutionizing something aseveryday yet impactful as
dentistry.
What's happening in digitaldentistry?
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Oh, it's a complete revolution in how dental
solutions are designed andproduced.
It's huge.
I am, for instance, stratacy'sjust unveiled Trudent, trudent.
Yes, this is the firstFDA-cleared you know Food and
Drug Administration, right FDAthe first FDA-cleared monolithic
full-color dentures resin.
What's remarkable is that thesedentures are printed in one go,
(08:30):
offering really naturalaesthetics and a significantly
faster workflow for the dentallabs.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
One print.
That streamlines the processimmensely, cuts down on multiple
steps.
And what about cosmeticapplications like veneers?
Is 3D printing making them moreaccessible or maybe less
invasive?
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Both really, Boston Microfabrication's Ultra Thin
Air Veneers are a game changer.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Ultra Thin Air.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
These are 3D printed zirconia masterpieces.
They are incredibly thin, just0.12 millimeters.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Wow, that is thin.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Designed to completely mask tough issues
like tetracycline stains,without requiring invasive
preparation of the natural pith.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
So less drilling.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Less drilling, more comfort for the patient and a
truly impressive aestheticresult Big win.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Less invasive dentistry is always a win.
Yeah, are we also seeingbreakthroughs in how dentures
themselves are made, beyond justcolor and aesthetics, maybe in
terms of fit or materialcombinations?
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Absolutely.
There's a German medtechstartup called Fidentis.
They're pioneeringmulti-material 3D printed
dentures using robotic powderbed fusion.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Multi-material.
Yeah, robotic Sounds complex.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
It's pretty danced.
This technique lets them createtelescopic prostheses with a
custom friction fit all in oneseamless print.
It's a major leap forward forcustom, high-precision dental
solutions, enabling complexdesigns that were previously
impossible to manufacture in onego.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
That kind of precision and customization
sounds ideal for militaryapplications as well.
Maybe Are the armed forcesexploring 3D printing for
on-demand dental care too?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
They are.
Yeah, it mirrors thebioprinting initiatives we
talked about.
The US Army is activelyexploring 3D printing for
on-demand dental care directlyin the field.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Makes sense.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
There was a recent demonstration showcasing how
this additive tech couldsignificantly speed up treatment
and boost soldier readiness,bringing immediate, high-quality
care right where it's neededmost, whether it's a broken
tooth or a more complexprosthetic.
So what we're seeing in digitaldentistry, it's a clear and
rapid shift toward highlycustomized solutions.
They're faster to produce, moreaesthetically pleasing and they
(10:32):
integrate seamlessly intodigital workflows.
Benefits the patient, withbetter outcomes, and the
practitioner with improvedefficiency.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
It's really transforming the field.
That's a perfect summary, okay,so now let's broaden our scope
a bit Beyond specific body partslike organs or teeth.
How is 3D printing transforming, say, general medical devices
and surgical practices,impacting the wider world of med
tech?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Well, one really significant development
addresses a major industryconcern waste.
This comes from MIT researchers.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
They've developed a dual light resin.
It prints intricate structuresand dissolvable support
simultaneously, but what's trulyinnovative is that it recycles
the support material right thereon site.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
It recycles it.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Yeah, dramatically reducing waste and it enables
the creation of really complex,even moving parts in a single
print.
Huge potential for MedTech,medical technology.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Beyond the design freedom, this on-site recycling
of support material yeah, thatsounds like a game changer for
cost and sustainability.
Do we see this becoming like astandard in MedTech
manufacturing soon?
Speaker 2 (11:36):
It certainly has the potential.
Sustainability is a growingconcern, absolutely, and this
method offers a tangible path toreducing the environmental
footprint of making medicaldevices.
But getting these innovationsfrom the lab into widespread use
in hospitals, that can be ahuge challenge, regardless of
the benefits.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Right the adoption gap.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
Exactly, and that's where initiatives like MGA come
in.
It's an NGO-led strategy.
They're actively pushingadditive manufacturing from
research labs directly intohealthcare systems.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
How are they doing that?
Speaker 2 (12:07):
It involves uniting multidisciplinary teams doctors,
engineers, designers tointegrate 3D-printed prosthetics
implants, other devices, rightinto hospitals.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Which raises an important question for all of us
.
I think, yeah.
What are some of the biggestbarriers to wider adoption in
traditional hospital settings.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Is it cost training, regulatory huddles maybe
something else entirely.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
That's the key question, isn't it?
How do we bridge that gap?
Speaker 2 (12:30):
It's often a combination, really.
The initial capital investmentfor the equipment can be high.
Then there's the need to trainstaff on completely new
workflows and navigating thelet's face it sometimes
slow-moving regulatory landscape, even with recent progress.
But the benefits, particularlyin areas like infection control,
are just too significant toignore.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
Speaking of infection control, are there any
breakthroughs there, using 3Dprinting specifically?
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Absolutely.
There's a new polymer blend for3D printed medical devices
that's truly revolutionary forinfection control.
It uses antimicrobial additivesin PA11, that's polyamide 11
for SLS, selective lasercentering printing.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
PA11 for SLS, got it.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
And get this.
It kills an astonishing99.99999% of common bacteria
like S aureus and E coli.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Wow, 99.99999%, that's huge.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
It is.
This could revolutionizeeverything from surgical tools
to implants, making theminherently safer, potentially
making hospital-acquiredinfections maybe not a thing of
the past entirely, but much lesscommon.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
Incredible.
That's a massive step forwardfor patient safety.
Beyond fighting infection, whatabout truly life-saving
implants and advanced surgicalplanning?
Where are we seeing big impacts?
Speaker 2 (13:46):
This is where we see some of the most impactful
stories, I think.
Take the world's first3D-printed femur transplant in a
child.
Happens in Vietnam.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
Oh, I read about that .
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Yeah, an 8-year-old child had a cancer-ridden femur
replaced with a custom3D-printed titanium implant.
This allowed him to preservehis limb and regain his walking
ability A massive leap forwardin pediatric orthopedic oncology
.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
That story the eight-year-old child in Vietnam.
It's incredibly moving.
It really is.
It's such a powerful reminderthat behind all the science and
the tech breakthroughs there arevery real, life-changing human
stories.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
And is this kind of bespoke, patient-specific care
becoming more centralized, moreaccessible maybe?
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Yes, exactly, the Bristol 3D Medical Center in the
UK, part of the NHS, is a primeexample.
It's the first NHS hub tocombine scanning, design and
printing all under one roof.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
All in one place.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Right.
This lets them create bespokeprosthetics, surgical models for
everything from infants needingcranial remodeling to complex
facial reconstruction, vastlyimproving precise
patient-specific care, andbeyond that.
They're also transformingtrauma recovery using
patient-specific models andsurgical planning tools powered
(14:59):
by 3D printing, truly usheringin a new era of personalized
medicine in trauma care.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
That integrated approach just makes so much
sense, doesn't it, bringing thetechnology closer to the patient
.
Are we seeing other healthcareproviders adopting this model,
bringing 3D printing directlyinto their facilities?
Speaker 2 (15:17):
We are Ricoh, for example, just launched Ricoh 3D
for healthcare.
Their goal is to acceleratepoint-of-care production.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Point-of-care right there in the hospital.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Exactly Patient-specific, fda cleared
3D-printed medical devices madedirectly in hospitals.
This move aims to expand accessto customized solutions and
really drive innovation inpersonalized care right where
it's needed.
Similarly, at Carle that's ahealthcare system A plastic
surgeon and a medical studentare collaborating using 3D
(15:45):
printing for reconstructivesurgery, creating personalized
models that dramatically improveplanning precision and,
ultimately, patient outcomes.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
It sounds like planning and precision are
common threads across all theseapplications.
What about a truly delicateapplication like, say, nerve
repair, where preciseconnections are absolutely
everything?
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Ah yeah, that's another huge breakthrough.
Area 3D systems and Tissiumrecently received FDA DeNovo
approval.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
DeNovo.
What does that mean?
Speaker 2 (16:14):
DeNovo approval is a pathway for novel medical
devices that are low to moderaterisk but don't have a predicate
device already on the market.
It's for truly new technology.
Speaker 1 (16:23):
Got it A new pathway for new tech.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Right, and they got it for a device called Coaptium
Connect with Tissium Light.
It's the first of its kindSutureless, sutureless yeah, no
stitches needed.
It's a 3D printed,bioabsorbable device designed to
repair peripheral nerve damage.
It's a game changer for a verychallenging medical problem,
potentially restoring functionin ways previously impossible.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Yeah, that's truly remarkable.
And it's not just inside thebody or in strictly medical
settings, is it?
3d printing seems to be goingbeyond direct clinical
applications too.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Absolutely.
It's bleeding into other areas.
Researchers at UT Austin, forexample, have unlocked a new 3D
printing method for flexible,stretchable electronics.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
Flexible electronics.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Yeah, next-gen medical devices.
This has game-changingimplications for wearables,
think sensors that conformperfectly to your body, and even
for implants that can movenaturally with biological
tissues.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
And if we look outside direct medical
intervention, think aboutpersonalized nutrition.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
Nutrition how.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
There are exciting developments like 3D-printed
gummies with customizednutrients and
micronutrient-filled voids3D-printed gummies Seriously.
Seriously, it's a sweet steptoward precision health, helping
to combat nutritionaldeficiencies in a personalized
and perhaps even enjoyable way.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Customized nutrition in a gummy.
Suddenly taking your vitaminssounds a lot more appealing.
Could this actually be thefuture of how we address
widespread nutritionaldeficiencies, maybe for kids or
picky eaters?
Speaker 2 (17:50):
It's certainly a compelling and scalable approach
.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Especially for children or those with specific
dietary needs.
Yeah, and what about a morefoundational area like wound
care?
Affects millions.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
Right.
Chronic wounds are a hugeproblem.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
UToledo Health is using 3D printed scaffolds for
customized, biocompatible,patient-specific treatment of
chronic wounds.
This signals a new era forregenerative medicine in wound
care, moving beyond standarddressings to truly personalized
healing.
And just to show the sheerbreadth of 3D printing's impact
even.
Nike is leveraging it.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
Nike, the shoe company.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Yep.
Their new Air Max 1000,dropping this summer, features
3D printed midsoles forpersonalized fit and lightweight
performance.
So you know, from life-savingimplants to athletic footwear,
3D printing is truly becomingwell, almost ubiquitous.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
So, okay, that was a lot.
What does this all mean for us,the listeners, who are trying
to make sense of this, thistidal wave of information?
What are the big takeaways here?
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Yeah, it is a lot, but if we connect all these
incredible advancements, severalclear themes definitely emerge.
Firstly, there's an undeniabletrend towards
hyper-personalization andcustomization.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
Right, everything tailored.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Exactly.
We're moving away frommass-produced solutions to
patient-specific orindividual-specific ones,
whether that's dentures,surgical implants, models for
planning surgery, wound graftsor even, yeah, personalized
sneakers and vitamin gummies.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
It's about tailoring solutions to the individual.
That's a massive shift.
But does this shift towardshyper-personalization raise any
broader questions for healthcaresystems?
Will it make advancedtreatments more accessible to
everyone, or could itinadvertently create a kind of
two-tiered system based on costand availability?
Speaker 2 (19:35):
That's a crucial point and a real concern.
While it's a huge step forwardfor patient outcomes, we
absolutely need to consider theeconomic and logistical
implications for mass adoptionand, importantly, equitable
distribution.
Secondly, we're seeing a strongmove towards point-of-care
manufacturing.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Right printing in the hospital.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Yeah, 3d printing capabilities are increasingly
being brought directly intohospitals and clinics.
Think of Ricoh's new division.
We mentioned the Bristol 3DMedical Centers, or even the US
Army's concept of fielddeployable labs.
This increases accessibilityand responsiveness, putting
powerful tools directly into thehands of health care providers.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
So less reliance on external labs, maybe quicker
turnaround times.
That seems huge for efficiency.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
It is.
Thirdly, there are continuousgroundbreaking advancements in
materials and bio-inks.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
We heard about a few.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
Yeah, new resins, antimicrobial polymers, diverse
bio-inks like collagen, thatdecellularized ECM, even sorghum
protein.
These innovations areconstantly expanding what's
technically possible to print,both for medical and other
applications.
They're pushing the boundariesof what these machines can
actually create.
Speaker 1 (20:41):
And all those new materials combined with new
processes that must lead togreater efficiency and speed.
Right?
Is that another trend?
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Precisely our fourth trend efficiency and speed.
New methods and technologiesare dramatically speeding up
processes across the board, fromthe design phase right through
to the final print.
This enables faster treatmentfor patients and quicker
deployment of solutions incritical situations, like you
know, on the battlefield.
Then fifth, 3D printing isproactively addressing systemic
(21:11):
challenges within healthcareitself.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
How so.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Well, we saw examples of waste reduction with MIT's
recycling method, revolutionaryinfection control with those
antimicrobial materials and thepotential to bring advanced care
to remote or underserved areasthrough initiatives like the US
Army's Field Labs concept,tackling real-world problems.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
And it sounds like regulators are trying to keep
pace too, which is vital fortrust and widespread adoption, I
imagine.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
They are, which is our sixth key trend regulatory
progress, the growing number ofFDA clearances and approvals we
discussed, from Stratus' TrudentResin to Ricoh's Point of Care
initiatives, and that 3DSystems' Coaptium Connect device
.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Right the DeNovo approval.
Speaker 2 (21:52):
Exactly All.
That indicates a maturing fieldand, importantly, increased
trust in 3D printed medicalsolutions.
This regulatory confidence isabsolutely vital for wider
adoption.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
It's great to see regulators keeping pace
generally, but does this rapidapproval process, especially for
novel things like de novo, alsopresent challenges, maybe in
ensuring long-term safety dataor, back to your earlier point,
making sure these cutting-edgesolutions are equitably
distributed across differenthealthcare settings, not just
the big research hospitals?
Speaker 2 (22:24):
That's always the balance regulators have to
strike agility versus long-termcertainty.
They're striving for agilitywithout compromising safety,
which means relying heavily onongoing post-market surveillance
and adapting frameworks as thetechnology evolves.
The goal is always to get thesebeneficial innovations to
patients safely and efficiently,but the equitable distribution
aspect, particularly globally,that remains a significant
(22:46):
hurdle, often outside ofregulation itself.
It involves economics,logistics, training.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
Right A bigger picture challenge.
Well, it's clear that 3Dprinting and biofabrication
aren't just niche technologiesanymore, are they?
They're fundamentally reshapinghow we approach health, healing
and even everyday products.
This deep dive into the 3DHeals Lattice newsletter really
underscores just how quicklythis field is advancing and its
profound implications for all ofus.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
It really does, and maybe this raises an important,
perhaps slightly provocative,question for you, the listener,
to mull over.
Okay, as 3D printing allows usto create increasingly realistic
and functional biologicalstructures, maybe even entire
organs, someday, what newethical and societal
considerations might emergearound the very definition of
natural versus human made?
(23:34):
Where do we draw the line?
Speaker 1 (23:37):
A powerful thought to consider as we wrap up this
deep dive.
Where do we draw that line?
Thank you for joining us onthis exploration of the future
of 3D printing andbiofabrication.
No-transcript.
Welcome back to the Deep Dive, your shortcut to
being well-informed.
Today, we're plunging intosomething truly remarkable the
cutting edge of 3D printing andbiofabrication.
We're pulling directly from thelatest 3D Heels Lattice
newsletter for this deep dive,and specifically, this is deep
dive number 87.
(00:20):
That's right.
The pace of innovation in thesefields is just well incredible,
and these sources offer afantastic snapshot of where the
tech is heading, giving you areal advantage in understanding
what's next.
So let's unpack this incrediblestack of new developments.
See what wonders await.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Absolutely.
Our mission for this deep divereally is to take these diverse
pieces of news, maybe group theminto some clear categories,
clarify any technical terms orabbreviations that pop up and,
most importantly I think,identify the overarching trends
that are truly shaping thefuture of medicine and well
beyond.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
Yeah, show people not just what's happening, but why
it matters Right the broaderimplication why it matters for
all of us.
Absolutely.
And when we talk about what'shappening, I mean one of the
most explosive areas of growthhas to be bioprinting, literally
building with biology.
Oh, for sure, as we startlooking at the you know, the
living tissue side of things,what are some of the most
(01:14):
fascinating developments jumpingout?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Well, what's truly fascinating here is just how
rapidly this field is evolving.
It brings breakthroughs, yeah,but also some surprising
challenges.
Speaker 1 (01:26):
Like what.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
For instance, researchers at the University of
Queensland found that, while 3Dbioprinting is booming, our
current patent laws are actuallystruggling to keep pace.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
Really how so.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
It's kind of ironic, but if bioprinted tissues become
too realistic, too good,exactly, they might actually
struggle to secure patents.
It's creating this sort ofglobal confusion and risking
crucial funding.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
That's a fascinating paradox, isn't it?
Success creating its own hurdle?
How might this patent law issueimpact research funding or the
speed of innovations reachingpatients?
Speaker 2 (01:59):
Well, it definitely creates significant uncertainty
for investors, for researchers,If the intellectual property
isn't clearly defined andprotected, it just slows down
the whole commercializationpipeline, potentially delaying
life-saving technologies.
But you know, despite thathurdle, the work continues at an
astonishing pace, especiallywhen it comes to skin and tissue
(02:20):
engineering.
Speaker 1 (02:21):
OK, so what's pioneering in that space right
now?
Speaker 2 (02:23):
Well, take the US Army, for example.
They're really pushing forwardwith 3D printed skin.
They have a cooperativeresearch and development
agreement, that's a CRIDO, withthe University of Hawaii.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
A CRIDO okay.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
And the goal is pretty groundbreaking to treat
battlefield injuries like severeburns, chemical exposure,
infections directly in the field.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
The vision is really ambitious.
Imagine field deployablebioprinting labs in remote
conflict zones, able to savelives right there by printing
custom skin grafts.
Speaker 1 (02:53):
Field deployable bioprinting labs for trauma care
.
I mean that soundstransformative, but what are the
biggest logistical hurdles tomaking that a widespread reality
for medics on the front line?
Speaker 2 (03:04):
Oh, huge challenges.
Transporting and maintainingsensitive biomaterials the
biopritters themselves, in harsh, unpredictable environments.
That's tough, yeah, butadvancements like Stony Brook's
TRACE tech are helping.
Trace that stands for Tunable,Rapid Assembly of Collagenous
Elements.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
TRACE.
Okay, got it.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Right, it's basically a new method that rapidly
assembles collagen, you know, afundamental building block of
tissue for better, fasterbioprinting.
Ah, this is a prettysignificant leap for tissue
engineering.
It allows for quicker, moreprecise construction of complex
biological structures, which youknow could make field
deployment more feasible downthe line.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Faster, better bioprinting.
Okay, so the foundationalscience is definitely moving
forward, but when we think aboutbioprinting, I guess the
ultimate dream for many iscreating whole organs, right?
How close are we actuallygetting to that?
Speaker 2 (03:54):
We are seeing some incredible developments, yeah,
on an organ scale.
Stanford researchers, forinstance, have created a new
algorithm.
It designs organ-scale vasculartrees for 3D-printed hearts.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Vascular trees, so like the blood vessel networks.
Speaker 2 (04:06):
Exactly the intricate network that supplies the organ
and this algorithm.
It generates these complexnetworks 200 times faster than
previous methods.
That's a crucial step towardsmaking truly functional
bioprinted organs.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Wow, 200 times faster .
That speed increase isn't justa number, is it?
It must fundamentally changewhat's possible in organ design.
What does that mean for thetimeline to actually seeing a,
you know, transplantablefunctional organ?
Speaker 2 (04:35):
Well, it dramatically shortens the design phase that
used to be a major bottleneck.
Now a fully functionaltransplantable organ Still some
time away?
Definitely Sure, butbreakthroughs like this bring it
much, much closer.
It accelerates the researchexponentially.
And speaking of organs UnitedTherapeutics and Intermountain
Health they've achieved a realmedical milestone They've
(04:55):
treated the first patient everwith a bioengineered external
liver.
It's called mural liver, elap.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
An external liver.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Yeah, it offers new hope for acute liver failure
patients who don't havetransplant options available,
kind of a bridge or even adestination therapy.
Speaker 1 (05:09):
So we're not just thinking about replacing organs,
but also supporting themexternally.
That's interesting.
What about advancements thatcould lead to internal organ
support, like for chronicconditions?
Speaker 2 (05:19):
On that front.
Yeah, there's some reallypromising research on a scalable
3D bioprinting platform.
It uses human pancreaticdecellularized extracellular
matrix ECM bioing.
Speaker 1 (05:31):
ECM bioing Okay.
Speaker 2 (05:33):
The aim there is to create functional islet
constructs for type 1 diabetestherapy.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Ah, the pancreas.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Exactly Preserving islet viability and insulin
secretion for over 21 days inthe lab.
So far, this brings us closer,potentially, to a clinically
translatable bioartificialpancreas, a potential long-term
solution for millions.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
This ability to create functional tissue on
demand.
That must tie into neurologicalmodels too, I imagine.
Recreating brain tissue forresearch sounds like a
monumental task.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Monumental is right, but researchers are now using 3D
printed bioscaffolds todifferentiate iPSCs.
Speaker 1 (06:07):
Those are the induced pluripotent stem cells.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Correct, differentiating them into neural
progenitors and then into motorneurons.
This paves the way for reallypowerful new models for
neurodegenerative diseases andpotential therapies down the
road, and we now have new 3Dbioprinted brain models that
actually mimic real neuralnetworks.
They have aligned axons,region-specific responses,
(06:32):
making them incredibly powerfultools for studying complex
conditions like Alzheimer's oreven things like alcohol-related
neurotoxicity.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
The ability to model these diseases with such
precision.
Yeah, that's truly a gamechanger for research, for drug
discovery.
And all of this relies oncutting edge materials, I assume
Are we seeing new bioinksemerging constantly?
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Definitely, innovation in materials is key.
For example, researchers at theUniversity of Arkansas
developed a novel bioink fromdrought tolerant sorghum protein
.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
Sorghum like the grain.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
Yeah.
What's special is it'shydrophobic and gluten-free,
makes it suitable for printingvarious food or medicine gels.
It's another example of howmaterials innovation is
constantly expanding thepossibilities, even hinting at
new applications beyond directmedical treatment.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
The scale of innovation here is just.
It's breathtaking when youthink about printing custom skin
grafts for immediatebattlefield trauma, or creating
a functional pancreas forsomeone with type 1 diabetes, or
even brain models to find acure for Alzheimer's.
It's not just about treatingconditions anymore, is it?
(07:39):
It feels like it'sfundamentally redefining what's
possible in health care.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
It really is.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
This isn't just technology.
It feels like a profound shifttowards what many are calling
truly personalized regenerativemedicine.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Precisely.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
So, from the complexity of internal organs
let's pivot maybe to somethingequally intricate but maybe
overlooked sometimes our smiles.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Ah, dentistry yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
It's fascinating to see how 3D printing is also
revolutionizing something aseveryday yet impactful as
dentistry.
What's happening in digitaldentistry?
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Oh, it's a complete revolution in how dental
solutions are designed andproduced.
It's huge.
I am, for instance, stratacy'sjust unveiled Trudent, trudent.
Yes, this is the firstFDA-cleared you know Food and
Drug Administration, right FDAthe first FDA-cleared monolithic
full-color dentures resin.
What's remarkable is that thesedentures are printed in one go,
(08:30):
offering really naturalaesthetics and a significantly
faster workflow for the dentallabs.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
One print.
That streamlines the processimmensely, cuts down on multiple
steps.
And what about cosmeticapplications like veneers?
Is 3D printing making them moreaccessible or maybe less
invasive?
Speaker 2 (08:48):
Both really, Boston Microfabrication's Ultra Thin
Air Veneers are a game changer.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Ultra Thin Air.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
These are 3D printed zirconia masterpieces.
They are incredibly thin, just0.12 millimeters.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Wow, that is thin.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
Designed to completely mask tough issues
like tetracycline stains,without requiring invasive
preparation of the natural pith.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
So less drilling.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
Less drilling, more comfort for the patient and a
truly impressive aestheticresult Big win.
Speaker 1 (09:12):
Less invasive dentistry is always a win.
Yeah, are we also seeingbreakthroughs in how dentures
themselves are made, beyond justcolor and aesthetics, maybe in
terms of fit or materialcombinations?
Speaker 2 (09:22):
Absolutely.
There's a German medtechstartup called Fidentis.
They're pioneeringmulti-material 3D printed
dentures using robotic powderbed fusion.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Multi-material.
Yeah, robotic Sounds complex.
Speaker 2 (09:34):
It's pretty danced.
This technique lets them createtelescopic prostheses with a
custom friction fit all in oneseamless print.
It's a major leap forward forcustom, high-precision dental
solutions, enabling complexdesigns that were previously
impossible to manufacture in onego.
Speaker 1 (09:51):
That kind of precision and customization
sounds ideal for militaryapplications as well.
Maybe Are the armed forcesexploring 3D printing for
on-demand dental care too?
Speaker 2 (10:01):
They are.
Yeah, it mirrors thebioprinting initiatives we
talked about.
The US Army is activelyexploring 3D printing for
on-demand dental care directlyin the field.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Makes sense.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
There was a recent demonstration showcasing how
this additive tech couldsignificantly speed up treatment
and boost soldier readiness,bringing immediate, high-quality
care right where it's neededmost, whether it's a broken
tooth or a more complexprosthetic.
So what we're seeing in digitaldentistry, it's a clear and
rapid shift toward highlycustomized solutions.
They're faster to produce, moreaesthetically pleasing and they
(10:32):
integrate seamlessly intodigital workflows.
Benefits the patient, withbetter outcomes, and the
practitioner with improvedefficiency.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
It's really transforming the field.
That's a perfect summary, okay,so now let's broaden our scope
a bit Beyond specific body partslike organs or teeth.
How is 3D printing transforming, say, general medical devices
and surgical practices,impacting the wider world of med
tech?
Speaker 2 (10:56):
Well, one really significant development
addresses a major industryconcern waste.
This comes from MIT researchers.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (11:03):
They've developed a dual light resin.
It prints intricate structuresand dissolvable support
simultaneously, but what's trulyinnovative is that it recycles
the support material right thereon site.
Speaker 1 (11:12):
It recycles it.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Yeah, dramatically reducing waste and it enables
the creation of really complex,even moving parts in a single
print.
Huge potential for MedTech,medical technology.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Beyond the design freedom, this on-site recycling
of support material yeah, thatsounds like a game changer for
cost and sustainability.
Do we see this becoming like astandard in MedTech
manufacturing soon?
Speaker 2 (11:36):
It certainly has the potential.
Sustainability is a growingconcern, absolutely, and this
method offers a tangible path toreducing the environmental
footprint of making medicaldevices.
But getting these innovationsfrom the lab into widespread use
in hospitals, that can be ahuge challenge, regardless of
the benefits.
Speaker 1 (11:54):
Right the adoption gap.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
Exactly, and that's where initiatives like MGA come
in.
It's an NGO-led strategy.
They're actively pushingadditive manufacturing from
research labs directly intohealthcare systems.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
How are they doing that?
Speaker 2 (12:07):
It involves uniting multidisciplinary teams doctors,
engineers, designers tointegrate 3D-printed prosthetics
implants, other devices, rightinto hospitals.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Which raises an important question for all of us
.
I think, yeah.
What are some of the biggestbarriers to wider adoption in
traditional hospital settings.
Speaker 2 (12:23):
Is it cost training, regulatory huddles maybe
something else entirely.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
That's the key question, isn't it?
How do we bridge that gap?
Speaker 2 (12:30):
It's often a combination, really.
The initial capital investmentfor the equipment can be high.
Then there's the need to trainstaff on completely new
workflows and navigating thelet's face it sometimes
slow-moving regulatory landscape, even with recent progress.
But the benefits, particularlyin areas like infection control,
are just too significant toignore.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
Speaking of infection control, are there any
breakthroughs there, using 3Dprinting specifically?
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Absolutely.
There's a new polymer blend for3D printed medical devices
that's truly revolutionary forinfection control.
It uses antimicrobial additivesin PA11, that's polyamide 11
for SLS, selective lasercentering printing.
Speaker 1 (13:10):
PA11 for SLS, got it.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
And get this.
It kills an astonishing99.99999% of common bacteria
like S aureus and E coli.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Wow, 99.99999%, that's huge.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
It is.
This could revolutionizeeverything from surgical tools
to implants, making theminherently safer, potentially
making hospital-acquiredinfections maybe not a thing of
the past entirely, but much lesscommon.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
Incredible.
That's a massive step forwardfor patient safety.
Beyond fighting infection, whatabout truly life-saving
implants and advanced surgicalplanning?
Where are we seeing big impacts?
Speaker 2 (13:46):
This is where we see some of the most impactful
stories, I think.
Take the world's first3D-printed femur transplant in a
child.
Happens in Vietnam.
Speaker 1 (13:53):
Oh, I read about that .
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Yeah, an 8-year-old child had a cancer-ridden femur
replaced with a custom3D-printed titanium implant.
This allowed him to preservehis limb and regain his walking
ability A massive leap forwardin pediatric orthopedic oncology
.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
That story the eight-year-old child in Vietnam.
It's incredibly moving.
It really is.
It's such a powerful reminderthat behind all the science and
the tech breakthroughs there arevery real, life-changing human
stories.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
And is this kind of bespoke, patient-specific care
becoming more centralized, moreaccessible maybe?
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Yes, exactly, the Bristol 3D Medical Center in the
UK, part of the NHS, is a primeexample.
It's the first NHS hub tocombine scanning, design and
printing all under one roof.
Speaker 1 (14:37):
All in one place.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
Right.
This lets them create bespokeprosthetics, surgical models for
everything from infants needingcranial remodeling to complex
facial reconstruction, vastlyimproving precise
patient-specific care, andbeyond that.
They're also transformingtrauma recovery using
patient-specific models andsurgical planning tools powered
(14:59):
by 3D printing, truly usheringin a new era of personalized
medicine in trauma care.
Speaker 1 (15:06):
That integrated approach just makes so much
sense, doesn't it, bringing thetechnology closer to the patient
.
Are we seeing other healthcareproviders adopting this model,
bringing 3D printing directlyinto their facilities?
Speaker 2 (15:17):
We are Ricoh, for example, just launched Ricoh 3D
for healthcare.
Their goal is to acceleratepoint-of-care production.
Speaker 1 (15:23):
Point-of-care right there in the hospital.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Exactly Patient-specific, fda cleared
3D-printed medical devices madedirectly in hospitals.
This move aims to expand accessto customized solutions and
really drive innovation inpersonalized care right where
it's needed.
Similarly, at Carle that's ahealthcare system A plastic
surgeon and a medical studentare collaborating using 3D
(15:45):
printing for reconstructivesurgery, creating personalized
models that dramatically improveplanning precision and,
ultimately, patient outcomes.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
It sounds like planning and precision are
common threads across all theseapplications.
What about a truly delicateapplication like, say, nerve
repair, where preciseconnections are absolutely
everything?
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Ah yeah, that's another huge breakthrough.
Area 3D systems and Tissiumrecently received FDA DeNovo
approval.
Speaker 1 (16:12):
DeNovo.
What does that mean?
Speaker 2 (16:14):
DeNovo approval is a pathway for novel medical
devices that are low to moderaterisk but don't have a predicate
device already on the market.
It's for truly new technology.
Speaker 1 (16:23):
Got it A new pathway for new tech.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
Right, and they got it for a device called Coaptium
Connect with Tissium Light.
It's the first of its kindSutureless, sutureless yeah, no
stitches needed.
It's a 3D printed,bioabsorbable device designed to
repair peripheral nerve damage.
It's a game changer for a verychallenging medical problem,
potentially restoring functionin ways previously impossible.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Yeah, that's truly remarkable.
And it's not just inside thebody or in strictly medical
settings, is it?
3d printing seems to be goingbeyond direct clinical
applications too.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Absolutely.
It's bleeding into other areas.
Researchers at UT Austin, forexample, have unlocked a new 3D
printing method for flexible,stretchable electronics.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
Flexible electronics.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Yeah, next-gen medical devices.
This has game-changingimplications for wearables,
think sensors that conformperfectly to your body, and even
for implants that can movenaturally with biological
tissues.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
And if we look outside direct medical
intervention, think aboutpersonalized nutrition.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
Nutrition how.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
There are exciting developments like 3D-printed
gummies with customizednutrients and
micronutrient-filled voids3D-printed gummies Seriously.
Seriously, it's a sweet steptoward precision health, helping
to combat nutritionaldeficiencies in a personalized
and perhaps even enjoyable way.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
Customized nutrition in a gummy.
Suddenly taking your vitaminssounds a lot more appealing.
Could this actually be thefuture of how we address
widespread nutritionaldeficiencies, maybe for kids or
picky eaters?
Speaker 2 (17:50):
It's certainly a compelling and scalable approach
.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (17:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:52):
Especially for children or those with specific
dietary needs.
Yeah, and what about a morefoundational area like wound
care?
Affects millions.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
Right.
Chronic wounds are a hugeproblem.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
UToledo Health is using 3D printed scaffolds for
customized, biocompatible,patient-specific treatment of
chronic wounds.
This signals a new era forregenerative medicine in wound
care, moving beyond standarddressings to truly personalized
healing.
And just to show the sheerbreadth of 3D printing's impact
even.
Nike is leveraging it.
Speaker 1 (18:22):
Nike, the shoe company.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
Yep.
Their new Air Max 1000,dropping this summer, features
3D printed midsoles forpersonalized fit and lightweight
performance.
So you know, from life-savingimplants to athletic footwear,
3D printing is truly becomingwell, almost ubiquitous.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
So, okay, that was a lot.
What does this all mean for us,the listeners, who are trying
to make sense of this, thistidal wave of information?
What are the big takeaways here?
Speaker 2 (18:48):
Yeah, it is a lot, but if we connect all these
incredible advancements, severalclear themes definitely emerge.
Firstly, there's an undeniabletrend towards
hyper-personalization andcustomization.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
Right, everything tailored.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Exactly.
We're moving away frommass-produced solutions to
patient-specific orindividual-specific ones,
whether that's dentures,surgical implants, models for
planning surgery, wound graftsor even, yeah, personalized
sneakers and vitamin gummies.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
It's about tailoring solutions to the individual.
That's a massive shift.
But does this shift towardshyper-personalization raise any
broader questions for healthcaresystems?
Will it make advancedtreatments more accessible to
everyone, or could itinadvertently create a kind of
two-tiered system based on costand availability?
Speaker 2 (19:35):
That's a crucial point and a real concern.
While it's a huge step forwardfor patient outcomes, we
absolutely need to consider theeconomic and logistical
implications for mass adoptionand, importantly, equitable
distribution.
Secondly, we're seeing a strongmove towards point-of-care
manufacturing.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Right printing in the hospital.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
Yeah, 3d printing capabilities are increasingly
being brought directly intohospitals and clinics.
Think of Ricoh's new division.
We mentioned the Bristol 3DMedical Centers, or even the US
Army's concept of fielddeployable labs.
This increases accessibilityand responsiveness, putting
powerful tools directly into thehands of health care providers.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
So less reliance on external labs, maybe quicker
turnaround times.
That seems huge for efficiency.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
It is.
Thirdly, there are continuousgroundbreaking advancements in
materials and bio-inks.
Speaker 1 (20:23):
We heard about a few.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
Yeah, new resins, antimicrobial polymers, diverse
bio-inks like collagen, thatdecellularized ECM, even sorghum
protein.
These innovations areconstantly expanding what's
technically possible to print,both for medical and other
applications.
They're pushing the boundariesof what these machines can
actually create.
Speaker 1 (20:41):
And all those new materials combined with new
processes that must lead togreater efficiency and speed.
Right?
Is that another trend?
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Precisely our fourth trend efficiency and speed.
New methods and technologiesare dramatically speeding up
processes across the board, fromthe design phase right through
to the final print.
This enables faster treatmentfor patients and quicker
deployment of solutions incritical situations, like you
know, on the battlefield.
Then fifth, 3D printing isproactively addressing systemic
(21:11):
challenges within healthcareitself.
Speaker 1 (21:13):
How so.
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Well, we saw examples of waste reduction with MIT's
recycling method, revolutionaryinfection control with those
antimicrobial materials and thepotential to bring advanced care
to remote or underserved areasthrough initiatives like the US
Army's Field Labs concept,tackling real-world problems.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
And it sounds like regulators are trying to keep
pace too, which is vital fortrust and widespread adoption, I
imagine.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
They are, which is our sixth key trend regulatory
progress, the growing number ofFDA clearances and approvals we
discussed, from Stratus' TrudentResin to Ricoh's Point of Care
initiatives, and that 3DSystems' Coaptium Connect device
.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
Right the DeNovo approval.
Speaker 2 (21:52):
Exactly All.
That indicates a maturing fieldand, importantly, increased
trust in 3D printed medicalsolutions.
This regulatory confidence isabsolutely vital for wider
adoption.
Speaker 1 (22:04):
It's great to see regulators keeping pace
generally, but does this rapidapproval process, especially for
novel things like de novo, alsopresent challenges, maybe in
ensuring long-term safety dataor, back to your earlier point,
making sure these cutting-edgesolutions are equitably
distributed across differenthealthcare settings, not just
the big research hospitals?
Speaker 2 (22:24):
That's always the balance regulators have to
strike agility versus long-termcertainty.
They're striving for agilitywithout compromising safety,
which means relying heavily onongoing post-market surveillance
and adapting frameworks as thetechnology evolves.
The goal is always to get thesebeneficial innovations to
patients safely and efficiently,but the equitable distribution
aspect, particularly globally,that remains a significant
(22:46):
hurdle, often outside ofregulation itself.
It involves economics,logistics, training.
Speaker 1 (22:51):
Right A bigger picture challenge.
Well, it's clear that 3Dprinting and biofabrication
aren't just niche technologiesanymore, are they?
They're fundamentally reshapinghow we approach health, healing
and even everyday products.
This deep dive into the 3DHeals Lattice newsletter really
underscores just how quicklythis field is advancing and its
profound implications for all ofus.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
It really does, and maybe this raises an important,
perhaps slightly provocative,question for you, the listener,
to mull over.
Okay, as 3D printing allows usto create increasingly realistic
and functional biologicalstructures, maybe even entire
organs, someday, what newethical and societal
considerations might emergearound the very definition of
natural versus human made?
(23:34):
Where do we draw the line?
Speaker 1 (23:37):
A powerful thought to consider as we wrap up this
deep dive.
Where do we draw that line?
Thank you for joining us onthis exploration of the future
of 3D printing andbiofabrication.
No-transcript.
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