Abstract

3D Printing of Auxiliary Hydrogel Structures for Personalised Implants

Nihal Engin Vrana, Fundamental Research Manager, PROTiP

Implants and implantable medical devices provide remedies for many debilitating medical conditions. Implant based solutions for tissue and organ loss and dysfunction face two important challenges: i) Patient-specific nature of the organ damage which requires personalization of implants ii) Adverse immune reactions to implanted materials which necessitates local and long-term immunomodulation. This talk will cover the use of 3D printing technologies for overcoming these challenges with a specific focus on otorhinolaryngology applications. Swallowing disorders due to cancer treatment or neurological diseases are common problems with a significant impact on patients’ quality of life. We have recently demonstrated an intralaryngeal implant based treatment (NewBreez) as a way to protect the airway against aspirations. However, as the laryngeal anatomy might be significantly altered for each patient due to tumor resection or radiotherapy, development of methods for reliable manufacturing of personalized implants with 3D printing is necessary. As each patient has a different immune system, highly localized and personalized modification of implant surfaces to enable immunomodulation in the microenvironment of the implant without having systemic effects is also desirable. In this context, our recent work in the development of personalized intralaryngeal implants and printable, immune cell-laden immunomodulatory hydrogels will be demonstrated.