'Flexible robot' for 3D printing inside the body (Reuters Video)

SYDNEY, March 28 (Reuters) - A team of biomedical engineers in Australia have developed a small flexible robot that can be used to 3D print biomaterials directly inside the human body, in the hopes of streamlining future medical procedures. 3D bioprinting is a process where natural tissue-like structures are printed using living cells and other natural tissues known as “bio-ink“, in order to repair organ or tissue damage or ruptured blood vessels. The use of living cells in the printing process allows these man-made structures to fuse naturally with the human body and continue to grow. Currently, biomaterials must be created outside of the body before relying on typically invasive surgery to insert the materials inside the body, which can lead to high blood loss, infections, and other complications. Team leader Thanh Nho Do said this new device, named F3DB, will eliminate those complications and risks by printing directly inside the body. “Currently no commerc