3DExpress: Novel 3D Printed Skin with Simulated Blood for Surgical Training

In this week’s 3DExpress, we highlight notable developments in the medical sector. In the United States, researchers at the University of Minnesota have successfully 3D printed a new type of skin model to advance surgical training. In Germany, a hospital team in Dessau reported the first successful implantation of a bioresorbable 3D printed skull. Beyond healthcare, we also examine the introduction of a new concrete 3D printer and a multi-metal printing process set to broaden industrial applications. Some positive updates for the medical and industrial fields!

Simulated Skin for Surgical Practice

Researchers from the University of Minnesota 3D printed simulated human tissue for medical training. Previously, these models have been simple, rigid tissue simulants. The new technique, by contrast, can mimic the directional strength, softness and stretchiness found in real tissues like skin. Remarkably, they also printed microcapsules in the tissue, containing a liquid to mimic blood. The microcapsules prevent the blood from drying out or interfering with the printing process. In a preliminary study, surgeons found that these new surgical models had improved tactile feedback and response to cutting compared to conventional models. Going forward, the team will explore printing other organ models, with the aim to advance surgical training.

3D printed simulated skin for training (Photo Credit: McAlpine Research Group)

A Successful Cranial Implant in Germany

The Municipal Clinic of Dessau, Germany, successfully performed an innovative operation: a bioresorbable cranial implant in the patient. The head physician of the Neurosurgery Clinic, Prof. Dr. Klaus Zweckberger, described this method as a true paradigm shift in neurosurgery. He emphasized: “We can not only treat patients safely, but also stimulate natural bone growth. This eliminates the need for lifelong use of foreign material.” Under the direction of Dr. Henrik Giese, the patient received a completely new skull that, over time, will fuse with the bone and promote bone reconstruction. As Giese emphasizes: “The precision of the implant was impressive: it integrated into the existing cranial structure like a custom-made key. The combination of 3D printing, bioresorbable material, and autologous bone marrow opens up completely new perspectives in reconstructive medicine.”