Simple, Vascularized Tissues
These can already be printed and used in research or for specialized medical applications. They are typically simpler structures that don’t require a complex internal blood-vessel network.
- Skin grafts
- Cartilage (nose, ear, joint patches)
- Bone scaffolds
- Corneal tissue
- Meniscus tissue
B. Mini-Organs (“Organoids”)
Organoids are small, functional versions of organs used for drug testing and personalized medicine. They behave like miniature organs but are not large or complex enough to replace a full organ in the body.
- Liver organoids
- Kidney organoids
- Pancreas organoids
- Brain organoids (for disease modeling)
They are powerful tools for research and drug discovery, but they cannot yet serve as full transplant organs.
C. Bio-Printed Implants
Some 3D-printed or bioprinted implants are already approved or in late-stage trials. These are often made of biocompatible materials and may include cells, but they are not full standalone organs.
- Custom airway splints for infants
- Custom jaw bones
- Patient-specific heart valves
- Printed spinal implants
- Customized dental structures