Concord Hospital’s Burns Unit in Sydney has launched a world-first human clinical trial of 3D-printed skin, offering a revolutionary approach to burn and soft tissue recovery.
The process uses advanced techniques developed by Inventia Life Science, creators of the Ligo Surgical Robot, which prints biomaterials directly onto the wound with precision, helping a surgeon to rebuild lost tissue after trauma.
In conjunction with the Skin Laboratory at the Concord Hospital Burns Unit, researchers have been able to isolate skin cells from patients before the new skin is generated using the new robotic 3D printer. Currently part of a world-first human clinical trial, early studies are showing that 3D printed skin encourages faster wound healing and significantly reduces pain for burns patients.
Poor wound healing can result in scarring, especially for large burns, and can significantly impact long-term quality of life and place a substantial burden on the healthcare system.
‘This is life-changing technology that can make a world of difference to people with burns injuries and soft tissue loss, and further enhances Concord Burns Unit’s reputation as a developing centre of excellence for burns care globally,’ said NSW Health Minister Ryan Park. ‘We know that people with serious burns face a range of medical complications, including wound healing and scarring, so this breakthrough offers a promising new approach to accelerate recovery, reduce pain, and improve long-term outcomes for patients.’
Graduate nurse Rebecca Jane Torbruegge, the first patient to receive this treatment after suffering a leg burn, was surprised to experience no pain during the graft site recovery: ‘I was so surprised there was no pain – I was expecting some pain – at least in the spot where they took the graft, but it was fine. My biggest issue was staying still for six days!’
During this current clinical trial, a safety study, the skin printing is used on a wound that is surgically generated when a skin graft is harvested to treat a burn injury. Following this, the team will analyse the results and determine the suitably to print directly onto the burns site and deeper wounds as well.
Dr Jo Maitz, Group Lead of the Burns and Reconstructive Surgery Research Group, summed up: ‘This is the future. It is a world first, at Concord Hospital, to 3D print at the bedside.’
