The Business of Biofabrication

Healthcare providers at Kanev University Hospital in Ruse, Bulgaria, have successfully used 3D bioprinting technology combined with artificial intelligence (AI) to treat patients with severe wounds. This innovative procedure was carried out by a team led by Dr. Stoyan Genadiev from the Vascular Surgery Department and plastic surgeon Dr. Stanimir Georgiev, offering a cutting-edge solution for patients with extensive tissue damage.

Two patients who had suffered significant tissue loss due to severe blockages in their blood vessels benefited from the procedure. The team extracted lipocytes from the patients, which were then used to create personalized 3D bioprinted inserts. AI technology played a crucial role by analyzing the wounds, determining the exact size and depth of the affected area, and calculating the precise amount of bioink needed to produce a custom bioplate for each patient.

This combination of AI and 3D bioprinting offers a faster, safer recovery option for patients, improving the chances of successful healing. While the equipment is currently available only at Sveti Georgi University Hospital in Plovdiv, Kanev University Hospital aims to make this technology more widely accessible. The hospital hopes that other medical institutions across Bulgaria will adopt similar systems to help patients with chronic wounds and complex tissue disorders heal more effectively.

By leveraging these advancements in bioprinting and AI, Kanev University Hospital is at the forefront of modern healthcare, paving the way for more personalized and precise treatments in wound care.

Original article here.