Researchers at the University of California, Davis, won the David Dornfeld Manufacturing Vision Award at the Society of Manufacturing Engineers 2024 National Science Foundation Manufacturing Blue Sky Competition with a proposal for a way to 3D print in the human body.
The research, led by Mohsen Habibi, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, focuses on the use of Direct Sound Printing (DSP). This is a process in which sound waves are used instead of light or heat to create solid materials from a polymer solution. This technique, which Habibi discovered back in 2018, makes it possible to print through physical barriers – a key advantage for applications in the medical field.
The latest application of DSP, proposed by Habibi and his colleagues Aijun Wang, Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Surgery, and James Marcin, Professor of Pediatrics, involves injecting biocompatible materials into the body. These materials could then be shaped into implants or scaffolds by specifically placed ultrasound sources without the need for invasive surgical procedures.
The idea of printing implants directly in the body represents a significant advancement in medical technology and could fundamentally change the way operations are performed in the future. Reducing invasive procedures could not only minimize risks but also shorten recovery times for patients. These developments are still in their infancy, but the award shows the high potential of this technology.
With their work, the researchers are setting new standards in the combination of 3D printing technology and medicine. Their success in the Blue Sky Competition underlines the transformative potential of their research and opens up exciting prospects for the future application of this technology in healthcare.
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