BIOPEN – REWRITING ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

The handheld 3D printer that allows custom surgical implants.

Researchers at the University of Wollongong have developed the BioPen. It is a handheld 3D printer device in the shape of a pen that allows surgeons to “draw” cell material onto bone surface to fill in damaged bone. Drawn on cells then propagate and differentiate until a new tissue is formed. The “ink” consists of cell material sandwiched between a layer of biopolymer and an outer layer of gel.

The prototype of the device is complete, and BioPen is now being optimized for clinical trials.