Application:
In reconstructive and cosmetic surgeries for facial skeletal augmentation, current solutions rely mainly on synthetic implants or harvested bone and cartilage grafts. Artificial implants, although customizable, carry risks of bacterial infection, implant mobility, and tissue incompatibility. On the other hand, autologous grafts require specialized surgical skills and are limited by the availability of donor sites. Both methods fall short in delivering patient-specific, biologically integrated solutions that minimize surgical complexity and long-term complications. There is a critical need for a tissue-based, biocompatible approach that integrates naturally with the body and can be tailored to individual patients.
Our innovation:
Our technology introduces a novel bioprinting approach using digital light processing (DLP) to produce complex and high-resolution 3D scaffolds entirely from non-modified biomaterial. Unlike existing bioprinting strategies that depend on synthetic polymers or chemically modified biopolymers, this system uses:
- High concentrations of the biomaterial (up to 30 wt.%) are used to fabricate soft tissue–like constructs, including overhanging and tubular features.
- Â The material also contains a built-in visual pH indicator.
These scaffolds can function either by enabling cell attachment after printing or by embedding live cells during the fabrication process, making them ideal for personalized autologous cartilage implants for facial skeletal reconstruction.
Advantages:
- Uses non-modified natural protein without synthetic additives, improving biological compatibility
- Based on commercially robust DLP printing technology, offering scalability, high throughput, and lower material costs compared to chemically-modified gelatin alternatives
- Enables patient-specific designs that integrate naturally with bone tissue, reducing the risks of implant rejection or bone weakening
- Simplifies surgical procedures by providing ready-to-implant solutions that don’t require highly specialized surgical skills
- Adaptable as a platform technology for future cartilage-based regenerative applications beyond facial implants
Opportunity:
This innovation addresses the urgent need for biologically compatible, patient-tailored implants in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
It offers an attractive opportunity for partners in:
- Advanced biomaterials and tissue engineering
- 3D printing and bioprinting solutions
- Biomedical device development
- Regenerative medicine research and clinical translation
Contact in Yissum: Ariela Markel
