Innovative Australian research team develops cutting-edge 3D skin printing method using patients’ own cells for burn treatment.
A revolutionary advancement in burn treatment was unveiled recently as NSW researchers announced successful trials of 3D printed skin technology designed to aid burn victims’ recovery.
The collaboration between Concord Hospital’s Burn Unit and biotechnology firm Inventia Life Science has produced what experts are calling a world-first technique that utilizes the Ligo Surgical Robot to create replacement skin tissue.
The pioneering procedure harvests cells from the patient’s own body and precisely applies biomaterials directly to wound sites, according to information released by NSW Health officials. Scientists at the Skin Laboratory isolated and cultured these cells before employing the specialized 3D printer to generate new skin tissue.
Initial clinical trials have yielded encouraging outcomes, with evidence suggesting expedited healing processes and considerable pain reduction for patients receiving the treatment. Currently, the technology is being implemented on donor sites where traditional skin grafts are harvested, with researchers evaluating its potential application directly to burn wounds and deeper tissue injuries.
“This is a major advance in burn care technology,” local state MP for Strathfield Jason Yat-Sen Li said, citing the unit’s long record in severe trauma cases including among victims of the 2002 Bali bombing. “Their innovation is not only in patient care but also in scientific innovation that is critical.
Financial support for the project includes a substantial $3,469,000 grant awarded to Inventia Life Science through the state’s Medical Devices Fund, earmarked for further development of the Ligo Surgical Robot system.
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Established in 2011, Inventia has emerged as a leading innovator in the medical industry after producing its first proof of concept in 2013 and collaborating with design experts to create the very best solutions. The business has enjoyed previous success with its Rastrum 3D Bioprinter, which has itself held the Good Design Award of the Year in 2019, showing just how much of a role Australian innovation is now playing in global medical tech advances.
