Bio-ink to rebuild bones

Boffins in America have created an inkjet printer that can create bones and muscle by using bio-ink to recreate cellular patterns.

Researchers from the Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute and the Institute for Complex Engineered Systems teamed up with other scientists from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to make the breakthrough.

It is claimed by the scientists that this development in cellular technology could have great potential for the human species and while still only at the proof-of-concept stage, could become integral to the rehabilitation of damaged bone and tissue in the body.

The custom built inkjet printer works by depositing the specially designed bio-ink in any specified pattern, density or location and as such can be tailored to create specific cells relating to certain areas of the body.

Simply by altering the layout of the bio-ink on fibrin-coated slides, the scientists were able to demonstrate that a range of products could be created, including bone and muscle.

They were even able to create separate products in the same culture dish, highlighting the practicality and diversity available from this innovative bio-ink printer.

At Paperstone, you might not find specially designed bio-ink printers but we do have a full range of printer supplies to suit most other models and ranges.