Implant from the 3D printer enables help with corneal damage

(CONNECT) University of Zurich, Zurich Veterinary Hospital, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) and the Dutch Radboud University in Nijmegen are conducting research into a transparent, biocompatible and self-adhesive implant from a 3D printer, according to a press release. It is intended to eliminate defects in the cornea of the eye.

According to the press release, the solution will benefit millions of people worldwide whose own corneas have been damaged by infections, injuries or malformations. This means that the eye is no longer protected. The consequences are impaired vision and even blindness. Only 100,000 affected people per year can be helped with a corneal tissue transplant. The reason for this is a lack of donors for the high demand for tissue donations.

The researchers are therefore working on a self-adhesive implant that does not require tissue donations and is not rejected by the eye. According to Empa researcher Markus Rottmar from the Biointerfaces laboratory in St.Gallen, the core of the product is a biocompatible hydrogel made of collagen and hyaluronic acid, which is provided with additives to offer a high degree of biomechanical stability. "3D extrusion bioprinting allows the implant to be tailored to the patient's individual corneal curvature," he is quoted as saying.

In the next step of the project, which is supported by a foundation, the researchers are working on a way to provide the hydrogel with human stem cells from the eye. The artificial cornea can be produced using 3D printing and is said to improve tissue regeneration.

Moreover, no surgical sutures are required for the treatment. This prevents "longer operating times and post-operative complications such as infection, scarring or inflammation". ce/heg