3D Printed Ovaries: New Research Shows Progress

New research shows scientist are closer to new infertility treatment

3-D printed organs and bio printing’s role in the future of healthcare is uncertain but exciting at the same time.

3-D printing technology has been in the press so much this past year. With bio printing, instead of the printer spraying ink to create objects, they spray human cells. Bio-Printing is in its infancy but has the potential to transform:

• transplant surgery

• prosthetics

• bioprinting of human cells

• lifelike models of organs

• printable, implantable human tissue

A recent advance in women’s health related to 3D printing has been reported. Scientists are one step closed to developing ovaries using 3D printing technology to treat various infertility issues. If the scientific community were to accomplish this, it would be considered the holy grail in bioengineering and what has been deemed as “regenerative medicine.”

The end goal is to generate replacement ovaries to restore fertility for women who became sterile post treatment such as chemotherapy. Recent research published in the journal Nature Communications says they hope to test on a human within a few years.

When it comes to this issue, for some time now, doctors have worked to restore fertility in women with damage from certain medical treatments by freezing a portion of their ovarian tissue pre treatment. In this case, scientists developed three-dimensional structures of ovaries to be used for bioprosthetic versions of the organ.

The ink used in 3D printing is a biological ink called gelatin. Gelatin is a naturally occurring substance that helps form the structure of organs. A 3-D printer squirts out gelatin ink in extremely precise patterns, one layer on top of another, to build complex three-dimensional structures modeled on the natural ovary.

Scientists used 3D printing to lay down a scaffold that was mimicking the natural scaffold of the human organ.

Perhaps the biggest breakthrough could be bio printings effect on cancer research. Using 3-D printing, researchers create exact replicas of a patient's cancerous tumor. This will allow them to test in real how a patient tumor will react to any number of cancer treatments.

As you can see this has the potential to completely transform healthcare as we know it, especially in regards to research. We'll be watching.

If you’re having surgery, here’s how to prepare

Get a second opinion. If you are not sure what the best option is, get a second opinion. Do not be afraid to get another doctor's perspective as the most important thing is for you to feel comfortable with your care. Speak to someone who specializes in treating your condition.

Know the facts. Discuss and learn everything about your surgery with your medical team. Talk to your surgeon and everyone who manages your care during the operation. Ask any and every question until you feel comfortable.

Discuss your medical conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any health issues, including heart or lung disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, dental work, arthritis, or drug allergies. Also make sure to let them know if you or anyone in your family has had a reaction to anesthesia.

Ask about anesthesia. What type of anesthesia you get depends on the type of surgery. Ask your anesthesiologist about your options. You may get local, regional, or general – all of which work differently.

Don't eat or drink before surgery. Don’t forget to avoid eating and drinking before surgery. The combination of food/drink and anesthesia can cause vomiting during or after an operation. This can cause choking and other complications after surgery. Make sure to follow the instructions about when to stop eating or drinking.

Options for pain after surgery. You are likely to experience a great deal of pain after surgery. Tell your doctor if you need pain medicine while you're in the hospital. Ask what your options are for pain relief when you get home.

To avoid hospital infections. After surgery, make sure to keep your hands clean. Do not be afraid to ask your doctors and nurses to wash their hands or sanitize them before treating you as well. This way, you can protect yourself from infections that can cause serious complications.