Direct in-muscle bioprinting can treat massive trauma injuries

Good news! Amazing stuff!

"... patients who have undergone volumetric muscle loss injuries may be interested in a novel technology ... a handheld printer to deliver hydrogel-based bioinks for treatment of such injuries. ...
The researchers developed a novel “Muscle Ink” for printing directly into large muscle-loss wounds. Within this specialized ink, vascular endothelial growth factor – key to inducing the angiogenesis and vascularization needed for muscular regeneration – is attached to 2D nanoclay discs, allowing for its continuous release over multiple weeks. The team incorporated these growth factor-bound discs into a biocompatible hydrogel that can adhere to wet tissue, such as the remaining musculature. The resulting scaffold has mechanical properties conducive to cellular regeneration and natural deformation during movement. ..."

"Extremity skeletal muscle injuries result in substantial disability. Current treatments fail to recoup muscle function, but properly designed and implemented tissue engineering and regenerative medicine techniques can overcome this challenge. In this study, a nanoengineered, growth factor‐eluting bioink that utilizes Laponite nanoclay for the controlled release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and a GelMA hydrogel for a supportive and adhesive scaffold that can be crosslinked in vivo is presented. ..."

Direct in-muscle bioprinting can treat massive trauma injuries – Physics World

Here is the link to the underlying research paper:

In Vivo Printing of Nanoenabled Scaffolds for the Treatment of Skeletal Muscle Injuries (behind paywall)