BioPen 3D Printing Bone-Healing Pen

Dec-12-13 The BioPen lets surgeons “draw” growth factors directly on a wound site, allowing them to create customized implants and accelerate healing.

Developed at the University of Wollongong, the BioPen extrudes a cell material contained within a biopolymer, which is then protected by an outer layer of gel material. The two layers are combined in the head of the pen as they are extruded, allowing the surgeon to ‘draw’ with the material and fill in damaged sections of bone.

A low powered UV light source attached to the BioPen solidifies the material as it is dispensed, protecting the cells as they are layered in the wound site. The live cells will then multiply and take on different roles, forming into nerve, muscle or bone cells.

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[COM.AU]
[SYDNEY MORNING HERALD]

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