Is a human organ (or other human tissues) created by printing of naturally occurring human cells patent-eligible subject matter, or are such organs and tissues merely products of nature and thus, not patent-eligible?
3D printing is revolutionizing many different types of operations, including heart surgery, allowing for personalized pre-operative surgical planning. Whilst many people never need to consider such drastic surgery thanks to help from their local health clinics (click here for an example), some end up needing the help.
Luke Miller was born with a pulmonary atresia, a congenital malformation of the pulmonary valve.
By using data from a CAT scan, Phoenix Children’s Hospital used a 3D printer to create a model of Luke’s heart. This allowed doctors to prepare for surgery – before the operation. The heart was printed in red, blue, and green, to delineate vessels and chambers. This allowed the team, led by heart surgeon John Nigro, to prepare their surgical strategy before the operation began. Such operations require expertise in the field of cardiology, which is why the Cardiovascular Group and others strive to learn everything they can before proceeding. Phoenix Children’s Hospital took the process one step further with this beautiful model, however.
Luke’s parents describe the whole experience as frightening, but the 3D printed replica of their son’s heart, offered some comfort by allowing them to visualize the surgery. Luke’s mom, Kelli Miller says that the level of care that Luke received was outstanding. “They absolutely took great care of him,” she said. “I wouldn’t have wanted him to go anywhere else.”
At 8 months old, Luke visited the Phoenix Children’s Hospital for a checkup. The 3D printer used to make his replica, a 3D System printer, was making another 3D printed version of another child’s abnormal heart. The hospital’s pediatric cardiology division chief, Dr. Stephen Pophal, says that the hospital considers 3D printing technology to be a “game changer” in how heart abnormalities are fixed.
Source: 3dprinter.net