BIOPRINTING
DEVELOPING ORGANS ON DEMAND
A History of Bioprinting
1984 | Invention of Stereolithography
Invented by Charles Hull, stereolithography is a method for printing three-dimensional objects that involve the movement of a laser beam. This beam builds up desired structures from a liquid polymer that hardens as it comes into contact with laser light.
1986 | Founding of 3D Systems
Founded by Charles Hull, 3D Systems is a company that was founded with the purpose of manufacturing 3-D printers along with the materials required to use them.
1996 | Observation of Embryonic Cell Behavior
Dr. Gabor Forgacs and his colleagues observed that cells during embryonic development stick together and move with one another in clumps while portraying liquid-like properties.
2000 | First Trials with Synthetic Scaffold
"The first few human patients underwent urinary bladder augmentation using a synthetic scaffold seeded with the patients' own cells (engineered, not printed)."
2003 | Modification of Inkjet Printer
Completed by Thomas Boland's lab at Clemson University, an inkjet printer was modified to accomodate and distribute cells in scaffolds.
2004 | Development of New Technology
Dr. Gabor Forgacs cultivates new forms of technology to enginner 3-D tissue using only cells and without the use of scaffolds.
2009 | Development and Sale of NovoGen MMX Bioprinter
Invetech and Organovo develop the NovoGen MMX, the world's first commerical bioprinter.
2009-2010 | Printing of First Human Blood Vessel Without Scaffolds
Executed by Organovo, the first human blood vessels were printer without the use of scaffolds.
