Queensland University is making a lot of progress and the ear they can make not is almost ready to use. But they are already think forward about the next step. The ear they have now is a short-term ‘cosmetic’ solution: a 3D prosthetic ear is made in medical silicone and attached magnetically or with surgical glue. The long-term stage is far more ambitious and revolves around a complex bioengineering solution. The goal is to develop a procedure for growing a 3D ear from the patient’s own cells using a special bioreactor. After a few weeks of growing, it could then be surgically implanted along with a custom bionic construction.
When I think a couple of steps (or years) ahead I see pretty amazing opportunities. Since 3D Printing has already gone mainstream how about printing our own ears at home? Everyone can buy a 3D printer, so why not? And why only ears? Maybe, someday, we can print our own limbs at our kitchen table. Talking about improving your quality of life, this will help big time.
I already posted about ears made out of apples and a guy with a prosthetic camera in his eye. Now I have found something that relates to these two and it’s amazing. But if we think about what the future may bring, this could even be far more interesting than it already sounds.
Two-year old Maia from Australia has a disease called Micratia. Due to here illness, Maria has only one ear and currently wears a headband that transmits sound to her brain. In this way, Maria can hear, but it does not look like a real ear at all. Queensland University of Technology in Australia is now working on a new 3D-technology. This technology makes it possible to print 3D-ears that look very real and are actually working. What is even more amazing is that the ear Maia is receiving soon will cost less than a pair of glasses.
3D PRINTED EAR
Video: Introducing the 3D printed ear
Photo: Maia with here headband, that soon will be replaced with the 3D printed ear