Washington State University explores 3D printing of human organs using AI

The 3D printing of human organs is a crucial development as it will be used for evaluating implant devices and for training surgeons.

Study in US: A study published by Washington State University allows for more seamless use of 3D printing for various complex designs including wearable biosensors, flexible electronics, and artificial organs. The research was published in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies.

Kaiyan Qiu in the WSU School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, also the co-corresponding author on the paper and Berry Assistant Professor said, “You can optimize the results, saving time, cost and labor."

Qiu has been involved in many researchers in developing life-like 3D models of complex human organs which get used in the training of medical students but these models are required to add physical and mechanical properties to the 3D print of the organs including arteries, channels, veins and other detailed structures.

Jana Doppa, co-corresponding author and Huie-Rogers Endowed Chair Associate Professor of Computer Science at WSU said, “The sheer number of potential combinations is overwhelming, and each trial costs time and money."

AI is reshaping industries

As per the university's statement, 3D printing is also helping engineers quickly convert the designs from computer systems to a range of products which include aerospace, batteries and wearable devices.

Co-first author Eric Chen, a visiting student working with Qiu's group said, “It’s hard to balance all the objectives, but we were able to strike a favorable balance and achieve the best possible printing of a quality object, regardless of the printing type or material shape."

"The researchers were able to look at all the objectives in a balanced manner for favorable results and that the project benefited from its interdisciplinary perspective," added Alaleh Ahmadian, co-first author and WSU graduate student in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

The researchers first instructed the computer through an algorithm to print out a surgical rehearsal model of a prostate. “That means that this method can be used to manufacture other more complicated biomedical devices, and even to other fields,” said Qiu.

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