Human corneas have successfully been 3D printed for the first time by scientists at Newcastle University in England.

 

英国纽卡斯尔大学的科学家首次成功采用3D技术打印出人类眼角膜。

 

By mixing stem cells from a healthy donor¹ cornea with alginate, a gel derived² from seaweed, and collagen, researchers managed to create a "bio-ink" solution that can be printed.

 

This bio-ink then would be successfully expelled out of the printer in concentric circles in the shape of a cornea in less than 10 minutes, according to a paper published in Experimental Eye Research.

 

"Our unique bio-gel -- a combination of alginate and collagen -- keeps the stem cells alive while producing a material which is stiff enough to hold its shape but soft enough to be squeezed out the nozzle of a 3D printer," said lead researcher Che Connon in a press release.

 

Connon's team also showed it is possible to create a cornea that matches a patient's unique specifications³.

 

By taking the dimensions of the patient's actual cornea with scans, scientists can use the data to print a cornea that matches its size and shape.

 

The 3D printed corneas will now have to undergo further testing but it is hoped the technique could be in regular use within five years.

 

Professor Connon said the research could help with the worldwide shortage of corneas for transplant.

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