3D printers, able to produce solid plastic objects from computer designs, have existed for quite a while. In fact open source self-replicating 3D printers have existed for years. What makes this 3D printer different is that instead of a plastic polymer, it uses live cells as its construction medium to produce living tissue.
The cells used in the 3D bio-printer originate from the recipient’s body and are printed onto a scaffold shaped specifically for the desired organ. To date, arteries have been successfully constructed, with the creators (Australian engineering company Invitech and San-Diego based Organovo) saying that complex organs such as hearts, teeth and bone should be possible within ten years.
From GizMag
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