Artificial eardrum and larynx patch printed with 3D printer
As a result of a joint study by 3 universities in Istanbul, an artificial eardrum patch and a larynx patch were produced using a 3D bioprinter.
AA
The Health Biotechnology Excellence Joint Application and Research Center (SABİOTEK) was established 2 years ago by Yıldız Technical University (YTÜ), Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa (İÜC), and Marmara University (İÜ).
Scientists at SABİOTEK produced personalized artificial eardrum patches and larynx patches developed with a 3D bioprinter through two separate TÜBİTAK 1001 Projects.
The preliminary work on the tissues produced with high technology has been completed, and the animal testing phase has begun.
ARTIFICIAL EARDRUM PATCH PRODUCED WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
YTÜ Department of Bioengineering Faculty Member and SABİOTEK Director Prof. Dr. Cem Bülent Üstündağ stated that it is important to produce high value-added products in the field of health biotechnology.
Stating that 3 universities in Istanbul came together for this purpose, Üstündağ said, "We have two TÜBİTAK-supported projects at SABİOTEK. Professors from 3 universities are involved in these projects."
Prof. Dr. Üstündağ explained that they produced an artificial eardrum patch as a result of the work done at SABİOTEK and continued as follows:
"We produced an ear patch with 3D printers using a tissue engineering strategy to repair eardrum perforations. The eardrum patch we produced is very different from existing technologies. A technique has been developed that will make it easier to repair damage to the eardrum through these patches, which are combined with certain growth factors and some proteins that will ensure wound healing, developed with different resins studied for the first time in scientific literature. We will first test the components on animals; we have reached that stage. Afterwards, we plan to apply to the Health Institutes of Turkey (TÜSEB) for clinical trials."
Stating that laryngeal cancer is a very common disease, Üstündağ explained that they also produced an artificial tissue that will allow for tissue regeneration to replace the cancerous area removed during treatment, and provided the following information:
"We are producing laryngeal tissue scaffolds with 3D printers. We are currently producing the products, and after performing tests on cells, we will begin animal experiments. This study will contribute to the treatment of areas of the trachea, also known as the windpipe, that have been damaged as a result of cancer, various diseases, or trauma, using an innovative approach. We are developing an innovative regeneration system in 3D printers with a micro-needle-based structure using materials with the exact same structure as skin, with gelatin and keratin in the eardrum. Our work will allow for the easy repair of damage to the eardrum. The designs are made entirely here; drawings and geometries are designed in different morphologies and different needle types. We make the tissues we use in the projects by imitating human tissue. We have achieved successful results in the trials we conducted on cells in our studies. We are moving on to animal experiments, and after that, we will move to the clinical stage. Our work is completely domestic and national. Even the materials we use are produced with domestic resources. We procure some materials that are not produced domestically from abroad."
Prof. Dr. Üstündağ stated that people with laryngeal cancer experience major problems in tissue regeneration and that this situation significantly lowers the quality of life for people, adding, "With the larynx patch project, we aim to develop a tissue scaffold that will solve this problem and regenerate completely. Again, with the eardrum patch, the problems of people experiencing hearing loss will be solved. For example, many people have an eardrum perforation; in the current situation, ear tubes are inserted into patients. The materials we have developed will offer faster regeneration and repair opportunities instead of these ear tubes."