First ever 3D-printed heart created from patient’s own cells

Scientists have attempted to 3D-print hearts previously but ended up only printing simple tissues, however, they have now for the first time 3D-printed complete heart from the patient’s own cells.

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have successfully printed the first ever 3D heart the makes use of cells and biological materials from the patient itself. In this medical breakthrough, the team produced a complete heart with cells, blood vessels, ventricles and chambers.

The process, as explained by Engadget, initiated with a biopsy of fatty tissues taken from patients. The cellular material from the tissues was used as the ‘ink’ for the printing. This allowed the scientists to create complex tissue models including cardiac patches and eventually an entire heart.

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However, for the time being, the heart printed is only the size of a rabbit’s heart. But, the technology that leads to making of this heart could ultimately lead to successful 3D-printing of a human-sized organ and could one day make organ donation obsolete.

At present, the hearts can only contract, but the team is planning on culturing the 3D-printed hearts and teaching them how to operate like a real heart. As soon as the process is completed, the researchers will attempt to then transplant those hearts into animal models, as per the study published in Advanced Science.

“The cells need to form a pumping ability; they can currently contract, but we need them to work together,” lead scientist Tal Dvir told Haaretz. “This is the first time anyone anywhere has successfully engineered and printed an entire heart complete with cells, blood vessels, ventricles and chambers.”