Page 21 - BB Neuromedicine Highlights 2019

3D PrINTINg

And sTem cells

Tremendous Hope For Dozens Of Neurological Disorders

In the United States today, over tually be a mainstream technique. There were injections or of neurological stem cell technol-
120,000 people await organ dona- Several innovative companies surgical implants of stem cells ogy. the resultant 3d structure
tion for life-threatening illnesses. and bioengineering experts are available in the past with the hope then allows these stem cells to
Unfortunately, twenty-two people leading the way. they would survive and function. develop into specific neuronal tis-
die each day because demand However, there were limitations sues or even neurological organs
far outweighs supply. However, uNDersTaNDINg 3D PrINTINg to the positive outcomes from themselves And because stem
that may soon change. Radically, FOr meDIcal use these studies. With 3D printing for cells come from the person being
bold moves in stem cell research the use of neurological stem medical use, however, results look treated, tissue rejection chances
and 3D printing are offering new cell technology is not necessarily to be much more promising and are much less.
hope that may eliminate the need new. In fact, researchers have exciting.
for organ donation. Additional- actively studied stem cell research The printing “bio-ink” for med- BOlD POTeNTIal FOr cOm-
ly, these same discoveries have for Parkinson’s disease and spinal ical 3D printing are stem cells. Of mON BraIN DIseases
tremendous implications for cord injuries for many years. But course, the ink requires a special Brain transplants are not on the
neurological disorders. 3D printing 3D printing for medical use is kind of “paper” for printing. Inter- horizon…yet. But 3D printing for
for medical use and neurological accelerating the potential of neu- estingly, bioengineers utilize other medical use offers tremendous
stem cell technology could even- rological stem cell technology. types of structures for the printing potential for treating common