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Boosting bone regeneration: Additive manufacturing of continuous gradient scaffolds using functional composite materials

Maria Camara Torres

by Maria Camara Torres, MERLN Institute for Technology Inspired Regenerative Medicine

Bone fractures, infection related debridement, or tumor resections can lead to large or non-union bone defects, where the normal process of bone regeneration is interrupted and prevent bone self-healing ability. By using scaffolds, tissue engineering aims at providing structural and biological support to regenerate bone. While additive manufacturing (AM) enables to fabricate patient specific 3D scaffolds with optimal mechanical properties and architecture, there is still a need of technologies and materials that allow to fabricate functional scaffolds for regenerating tissues in their complexity.

Continue reading “Boosting bone regeneration: Additive manufacturing of continuous gradient scaffolds using functional composite materials”
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Bioprinting of tissues and organs – Presented by Carlos Mota, Maastricht University

carlos mota

Bioprinting of tissues and organs – Presented by Carlos Mota, Maastricht University, at the 3D Medical Conference, which takes place on January 30-31, 2019, at MECC Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Bioprinting technologies are a group of computer-driven systems used to manufacture three-dimensional (3D) tissue and organ-like constructs. These 3D structures are normally manufactured with bioinks where the combination of specific cells and biomaterials is tuned according to the aimed tissue or organ.

At the MERLN institute, we are using different bioprinting techniques, namely extrusion, droplet-on-demand and microfluidics to develop tissue implants and organ models. Some examples of the tissue implants already developed are constructs for long bone defects and cardiac patch. For the long bone implant, novel alginate-based bioinks have been developed and combined with human periosteum-derived cells. Continue reading “Bioprinting of tissues and organs – Presented by Carlos Mota, Maastricht University”

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Additive Manufacturing of functionally graded scaffolds for bone tissue engineering – Presented by Ravi Sinha, MERLN Institute, Maastricht University

Ravi Sinha

Additive Manufacturing of functionally graded scaffolds for bone tissue engineering – Presented by Ravi Sinha, MERLN Institute, Maastricht University at the 3D Bioprinting Conference which takes place on Jan 31, 2017 at MECC Maastricht in The Netherlands.

“The classical tissue engineering approach has been to put cells within structural supports (scaffolds) which would resorb or remodel and integrate as the cells grow and form the tissue. Additive manufacturing (AM) has enabled this field immensely, due to the ability of these techniques to produce incredibly complex structures at several size scales, thus trying to mimic complex tissue structures and obtaining functional tissue as a result. Nature, however, does not just use structures, but also gradients in structures as well as mechanical and chemical properties. Continue reading “Additive Manufacturing of functionally graded scaffolds for bone tissue engineering – Presented by Ravi Sinha, MERLN Institute, Maastricht University”

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Moroni Lab – Largest European 3D bioprinting program launched by Maastricht University, Brightlands Materials Center

3D bioprinting program

Moroni Lab – Largest European 3D bioprinting program launched by Maastricht University, Brightlands Materials Center. It looks like Maastricht University is rapidly becoming one of Europe’s key centers for medical 3D printing efforts. Just this month, they spearheaded the new €4.6 million PRosPERoS project for 3D printed joint implant development, while researchers from Maastricht’s Moroni lab pioneered 3D bioprinted scaffolds that control stem cell differentiation. Continue reading “Moroni Lab – Largest European 3D bioprinting program launched by Maastricht University, Brightlands Materials Center”

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Maastricht University Hospital Introduces High-fidelity Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair Simulator (Video)

Repair Simulator

Maastricht University Hospital Introduces High-fidelity Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair Simulator. When you think of the combination of 3D printers and hospitals, the first thing that comes to mind are 3D printed implants and even 3D printed organs, made a patient’s own stem cells. Continue reading “Maastricht University Hospital Introduces High-fidelity Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair Simulator (Video)”

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Timpanic Membrane Bioprinted at Maastricht University

Cartilage we can already bioprint with discrete success, as the many images of bioprinted ears circulating around the web clearly seem to demonstrate. But how can we make those ears actually function? For that, we need much more advanced biofabrication processes. What scientists need to do is to find a way to accurately and efficiently 3D print the scaffolds that enable the creation of “end-use”, implantable, complex cartilage implants. Continue reading “Timpanic Membrane Bioprinted at Maastricht University”

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Chris Arts, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Will Speak at the 3D Medtech Printing Conference

Dr Chris Arts, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Will Speak about “High resolution imaging to study implant material and host tissue interaction of 3-D printed medical devices” at the 3D Medtech Printing Conference.

With the emergence of 3-D printed implants in the field of orthopaedic surgery it is most important to assess safety and efficacy in clinical patients. Furthermore these imaging techniques enable early screening of patients at risk for treatment failure . In this presentation several imaging techniques for this purpose such as MRI, HRpQCT and 18F-Fluoride PET-CT will be discussed. Continue reading “Chris Arts, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Will Speak at the 3D Medtech Printing Conference”

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Chris Arts, Maastricht University Medical Centre presents: “3D printing in orthopaedic surgery, indications & challenges”

 Dr. Chris Arts, working at Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department Orthopaedic Surgery, presents during the 3D Bioprinting Conference: “3D printing in orthopaedic surgery, indications & challenges”. Continue reading “Chris Arts, Maastricht University Medical Centre presents: “3D printing in orthopaedic surgery, indications & challenges””