Cartilage made using hybrid 3D printer (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

Researchers have developed a way to "print" cartilage that could help treat joint diseases and sporting injuries.

They say that the new material is more robust and hardwearing than previous efforts to create artificial cartilage.

A traditional ink-jet printer combined with a specialised spinning-machine is used to make it.

It could lead to bespoke cartilage created for individual patients. But one expert warned it was too early to be confident it would ever be used.

The study was published in the Institute of Physic's journal Biofabrication.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20444421
online article free for 30 days: http://iopscience.iop.org/1758-5090/5/1/015001

[savebigbird]

1. That's the coolest thing I've read today! n/t

[orpupilofnature57]

2. Lately the 3-D Printer is being talked about like the Gutenberg Galaxy.

[msongs]

3. soon all our politicians will be made on these printers...fake to the core lol nt

[Thinkingabout]

4. Now this is the business America should be in

We need education to stir healthy thinking and knowledge for our young ones to be great.

[lob1]

5. They're now trying to print out a non-crazy republican.

A bridge too far.

[LVdem]

6. As someone who has lived 30 years without cartilage in my RT knee...

I am hopeful this technology will prove practical. I sure could use it!!!