Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed a new technique of making dentures, the basis of which come from the tissue of the recipient. It will reduce the volume of surgical intervention as well as ensuring the growth of the referenced part of the face. "Produce" such noses, and ears assumes using 3D printers and biopolymer materials.

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Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed a new technique of making dentures, the basis of which come from the tissue of the recipient. It will reduce the volume of surgical intervention as well as ensuring the growth of the referenced part of the face. "Produce" such noses, and ears assumes using 3D printers and biopolymer materials.

Printout of the nose takes about 16 minutes: special device uses eight nozzles, which with high precision for a given model create the necessary part of the body. Samples of the cartilage of the patient take biopsies in the knee or phalanges. Then obtained in the laboratory, the cells are propagated and mixed with a special biopolymer. The resulting suspension is reminiscent of toothpaste, which is then used to print the nose.

some time after implantation, the biopolymer is decomposed, artificial nose, only left cartilage. After a few months there is a complete integration of new tissues and tissues of the patient. The proposed method can be used not only for operations for the return of lost, for example, because of injuries, noses and ears, but also to restore the articular cartilage.

In the near future, scientists will begin testing the new technology in mice.

it is Worth noting that such technologies already exist: the doctors implanted prosthetic noses, ears, parts of the skull, jaws and so on.