3D Printing In VIvo Using Sound (IMAGE)
Caption
A schematic of the DISP (deep tissue in vivo sound printing) platform developed by a team led by Caltech. The technique combines ultrasound with low-temperature–sensitive liposomes loaded with crosslinking agents. The liposomes were embedded in a polymer solution containing the monomers of the desired polymer, an imaging contrast agent that would reveal when the crosslinking had occurred (here they used gas vesicles), and the cargo they hoped to deliver—a therapeutic drug, for example. Additional components can be included, such as cells and conductive materials like carbon nanotubes or silver. The composite bioink was then injected directly into the body. By using focused ultrasound to increase the temperature in a targeted area by a few degrees, the scientists were able to have the liposomes release their contents exactly where they were needed.
Credit
Elham Davoodi and Wei Gao
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