Melbourne, Australia-based ARC Center of Excellence for Electromaterials Science researchers developed a biopen for stem cell therapy, according to Forbes.
Biofabrication published the study.
Here are six observations:
1. Utilizing three-dimensional printing, the biopen can draw gel stem cell material onto cartilage.
2. This material is intended to repair damage related to arthritis.
3. The biopen ultimately brings three-dimensional printing capabilities to surgeons' hands.
4. The biopen is composed of three-dimensionally printed medical-grade plastic and titanium.
5. The surgeon applies the bioink gel material around the damaged area. The biopen's ultraviolet light sets the gel material to protect embedded cells.
6. The researchers reported 97 percent of human cells were alive one week after drawing the cells.