News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Researchers at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. (ETH Zurich) have successfully 3D printed human muscle tissue in microgravity during parabolic flight experiments, marking a milestone in space-based biofabrication. The study aims to enhance disease modeling and drug development by recreating human tissues under gravity-free conditions that more accurately reflect the body’s natural architecture.
Tiger Aesthetics Medical, a division of Tiger Biosciences based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, has announced a strategic investment in GenesisTissue Inc, an early-stage biotechnology company developing personalized 3D bioprinting technologies for breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgery. The startup is creating solutions for both lumpectomy and mastectomy reconstruction, as well as aesthetic applications. This collaboration extends Tiger Biosciences’ regenerative medicine initiatives and follows the 2025 launch of alloClae, a ready-to-use structural adipose tissue product for body contouring.
Researchers at University of New South Wales Canberra, a campus of the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), have developed a new type of 3D printed, biodegradable bone implant that closely mimics the internal structure of natural bone. The innovation could improve recovery for patients with fractures or bone injuries by enabling customized implants that dissolve naturally after healing, eliminating the need for additional surgery.
Researchers at the McGill University, supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have created what is being called the smallest bioprinter reported to date—just 2.7 mm wide—that can accurately deliver hydrogels to vocal cords during surgery, helping prevent post-operative stiffness and improve patients’ ability to speak. The study was published in Cell Press journal Device.
3D printing has been officially recognized as a reimbursable fabrication method for prosthetic devices under Medicare, marking a key regulatory milestone for digital manufacturing in healthcare. The decision was issued by the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors (DME MACs) and the Pricing Data Analysis and Coding (PDAC) contractors, which manage Medicare billing, coverage, and classification codes for DME. It extends the 2024 ruling that acknowledged additive manufacturing for orthotic devices, meaning 3D printing is now formally recognized across the entire orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) sector.
CurifyLabs, a company developing 3D printing technology for compounded medications, has released its next-generation software platform, CurifyLabs Create. The system is designed to give pharmacists greater flexibility to design and modify formulations when needed.
PROTEOR, a company specializing in prosthetic innovation and 3D printing for the orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) sector, has announced a collaboration with Mariia Yelizarova, Head of Operational Excellence at TrainAI (RWS), along with One World Strong and Unbroken Ukraine. The partnership aims to expand access to prosthetic care for veterans and civilians in Ukraine who have lost limbs as a result of the ongoing war.
Researchers publishing in nonprofit organization ACS Nano have developed a 3D printable bio-active glass that could serve as an effective bone replacement material. In tests on rabbits, this material supported bone cell growth more effectively than plain glass and showed longer-term growth than a commercially available bone substitute.
Researchers at the University of Michigan and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) have demonstrated how to 3D print tubular structures that block vibrations using their internal geometry. The study, published in Physical Review Applied, builds on decades of theory and computational work to create materials that passively prevent vibrations from traveling through them.
The Atlanta VA Healthcare System (VAHCS) is now the first VA facility to provide advanced 3D printed casts and splints. Using the ActivArmor system, the facility can produce orthopedic devices that are customizable, waterproof, and breathable. These devices support a wide range of services, including Orthopedics, the Emergency Room, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Podiatry, and diabetic clinics.