With the lack of replacement tissue for airway reconstruction, researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital developed the 3D Printed Tracheal Bioreactor for Partial Decellularization. Their new process, Partial Decellularization, treats allografts for tracheal replacement. During testing of small animal subjects, they found that allografts supported epithelial regeneration. They then 3D printed the Bioreactor for the translation and adaptation of Partial Decellularization to human-sized grafts. As a result, Partial Decellularization with the bioreactor simultaneously removed immunogenic cell types of the trachea while preserving the immunoprotected cartilage.

This technology is easily accessible to medical centers who are interested. The creation and assembly of the Bioreactor through 3D printing allows it to be easily sealed, assembled and reduces the risks of contamination making it unlike any other bioreactor on the market.