The Business of Biofabrication

UToledo Health has become one of the first healthcare systems in the U.S. to implement 3D bioprinted grafts derived from a patient’s own fat cells in the treatment of chronic wounds. The approach marks a major advancement in regenerative medicine, offering a personalized solution for patients with wounds that have resisted conventional healing methods.

A Personalized Bioprinting Approach

The novel technique employs a precision-medicine workflow: clinicians collect a small sample of fat typically from the patient’s abdomen and process it into a bioink. This bioink, rich in reparative cells, is then loaded into a specialized bioprinter to fabricate a graft that precisely matches the wound’s dimensions.

The printed graft is not a skin replacement. Rather, it serves as a healing scaffold, stimulating the body’s natural regenerative response. “It’s almost like printing a puzzle piece,” said Dr. Munier Nazzal, chief of Vascular, Endovascular Surgery, and Wound Care at UTMC. “The graft is a custom fit and has already shown faster healing in early clinical use.”

Why Bioprinting Works for Chronic Wounds

3D bioprinting is uniquely suited for chronic wound care because it enables the production of patient-specific grafts that conform precisely to irregular wound geometries something difficult to achieve with off-the-shelf materials. By using autologous cells (the patient’s own), the risk of immune rejection is minimized, and the biological activity of the graft is maximized. The process allows clinicians to create tissue scaffolds with fine structural control, promoting better integration with surrounding tissue and accelerating regeneration. For wounds that fail to respond to standard treatments, this level of customization and cellular compatibility offers a promising alternative.

Technology Meets Clinical Need

Chronic wounds often linked to diabetes, vascular disease, and limited mobility affect nearly 10 million Americans. These wounds not only degrade quality of life but also raise the risk of serious infections and limb loss.

While standard care includes debridement, blood flow enhancement, and advanced dressings, 3D printed grafts could amplify the effectiveness of these treatments. “This technology is not a silver bullet,” Nazzal noted. “But it is accelerating healing in patients where traditional therapies alone have stalled.”

Early Patient Impact

One of the first patients to undergo the procedure at UToledo Health, Jeffrey Paul, had suffered from a persistent ankle wound linked to an autoimmune blistering disorder. After months of slow progress, Paul opted into the bioprinted graft program. Within two weeks of treatment, the lesion showed significant healing.

“I’ve tried everything else. This was different,” Paul said. “The idea that my own cells could help my body heal made sense and it worked.”

Commercial Technology Backed by Philanthropy

The bioprinting platform was developed by Louisiana-based Tides Medical, a regenerative medicine company focused on wound care innovation. UToledo acquired the device thanks to a philanthropic donation from one of Dr. Nazzal’s former patients. The same donation also funded the purchase of two additional technologies: a fluorescence imaging device for detecting harmful bacteria and an oxygen saturation tool for wound monitoring.

Looking Ahead

For UToledo Health, this initiative underscores a broader commitment to personalized wound care. “We have a responsibility to stay current with the most promising tools and therapies,” said Nazzal. “This technology aligns with that mission and is already making a measurable impact in patient outcomes.”

As 3D bioprinting continues to expand from experimental applications to clinical practice, personalized grafts for chronic wounds may become a standard in modern care.

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About Tides Medical

Tides Medical is a regenerative medicine company specializing in advanced wound care solutions. Based in Louisiana, Tides provides clinicians with access to amniotic and placental tissue grafts and cutting-edge bioprinting technologies that support the body’s natural healing processes. Their mission is to improve patient outcomes through innovation, education, and accessibility in tissue-based therapies.

About UToledo Health

UToledo Health is the clinical care arm of The University of Toledo, encompassing the University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC) and affiliated outpatient services. With a strong focus on research, education, and innovation, UToledo Health delivers advanced care across a wide range of specialties, including vascular surgery, wound care, and regenerative medicine.

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