Replacing damaged cells, tissues, or organs in the medical field has always been problematic due to the limitation in the available replacements. Replacement is important since some organs may not regenerate on their own or become detrimental to the remaining organ systems. The immediate repair of tissues is likewise important since it is essential in the healing of cuts or surgical incisions. However, the amount of organ donors does not meet the demand of the increasing amount of people waiting to be saved. Around twenty-two people die each day due to the shortage of organ donors (Pesavento). Fortunately, this problem would be likely addressed in the near future as studies and researches continue to develop the technology of bioprinting. This paper will likewise describe the technology and its ideation process.
OVERVIEW OF THE TECHNOLOGY
Bioprinting is a technology that aims to construct living cells, tissues, and organs by creating cell layers that are put together. There have been several bioprinters that were built but the technology remain to be under development before it may be used in the medical field to solve the increasing demand for organ transplants. Additionally, bioprinting is also being developed to recreate bone structures that may help with bone repairs and dental applications. Cosmetic applications of the technology had also received much attention since the technology may allow the reconstruction of facial features and make people look younger. Moreover, bioprinting may also decrease the number of patients whose bodies reject organ transplants since the bioprinted products may come from one’s own cell culture. Bioprinting may likewise lengthen the life span of humans in the future (“Bioprinting”).
IDEATION PROCESS
Ideation is the process by which ideas are generated, filtered, and validated in order to come up with applicable technologies or concepts (Wroblewski). The shortage of organ and tissue replacements had led the scientific community to push themselves in becoming more innovative. With the advent of 3D printing technology that may print designed materials, the idea that biological materials may be printed had been generated. This idea was later filtered and validated. It had come to the understanding that the printing of organs or tissues with blood vessels had become problematic. The blood vessels are important since they supply the necessary nutrients to the cells, without it tissues will easily become dysfunctional. To address this, micro channels had been incorporated into the tissues that bioprinting produce so that the necessary nutrients may be transported (Blaszcsak-Boxe). Challenges regarding the integrity of the bioprinted tissues had also been faced in the ideation process of the technology. Mechanical devices were then placed in the tissues before their implantation (“Bioprinting”). To validate the idea that bioprinting may substitute for organ transplants, researchers had used animal experimentation. In one of the experiments, researchers bioprinted and implanted rabbit tissues into rats. In the said experiment, the muscle structures had maintained their physiology and anatomy while the surrounding rat tissues developed blood vessels later on (Blaszcsak-Boxe). Bioprinting is still on the process of development, further validation is likewise necessary before it may be widely used. Human trials are yet to be done that will ultimately validate or revoke the idea (“Bioprinting”).
In conclusion, bioprinting is a technology that may help many individuals. The increasing demand for organ donations has a chance to be met. However, its ideation process has not yet come into realization. Protocols regarding bioprinting are yet to be finalized, together with the polishing of the technology. Nevertheless, upon the completion of its ideation process, it is of no doubt that the technology will not only lengthen, but also improve the lives of patients.
Works Cited
Blaszczak-Boxe, Agata. “Organs to Order: 3D 'Bioprinter' Makes Replacement Bones, Ears.” 2016. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.
"Bioprinting." ExplainingTheFuture. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.
Pesavento, Todd. “Facing Organ Donor Shortage, Patients Forced to Get Creative” Livescience. 2015. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.
Wroblewski, Luke. "LukeW | What Is Ideation?" LukeW | What Is Ideation? 2009. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.
