Olivia Morrissey

Applications of In Vivo Bioprinting in Coordination with Robot Assisted Surgery for Musculoskeletal Tissue Repair

Started June 28, 2022

Abstract or project description

Bioprinting is the use of 3D printing technology to produce constructs using living cells and bioinks. Bioprinting is a powerful tool that can help regenerate tissue in the body or print organs to be used in transplants. This could potentially eliminate the problems of complicated reconstructive tissue surgeries and organ shortages. In recent years, 3D bioprinting has been used to print in vitro organs, create models for clinical trials and test new drug formulas. Although these small steps have helped the scientific community learn more about the challenges that have to be overcome during the bioprinting process, in vivo bioprinting, bioprinting that takes place directly in the body, is a common goal that many researchers are striving to achieve. This paper will review the most successful bioprinting processes that have been used, different bioinks that have emerged, the current research that has been conducted for in vivo bioprinting and how in vivo bioprinting combined with robot assisted surgery could improve the outcomes of musculoskeletal surgery. Also, we will offer new perspectives on how robot-assisted surgery could be combined with in vivo bioprinting to create new surgical technology. The musculoskeletal system requires long and invasive procedures to fix problems that occur. Most musculoskeletal injuries are caused by strains on muscles that lead to tears in ligaments and the need for soft tissue replacement, like ACL tears, or the deterioration of joints from overuse. Through in vivo bioprinting, the reconstruction and regeneration of skeletal tissue can be possible without long and invasive procedures. Utilization of bioprinting could bring the elimination of complicated surgeries and the implementation of newer surgical techniques, specifically surgical robots to print inside the body with greater precision than humanly possible at reduced cost.