Woman receives 3D-printed ear made from her own cells

Illustration by Ana Kova

The company behind the implant said in a press release that it was the first time a 3D-printed ear had been used in a patient. The transplant's success is a major step forward for tissue engineering.

The ear reconstruction surgeon who led the team performing the procedure told The New York Times that it will change the way it is done.

Microtia is a condition in which one or both ears are missing or underdeveloped. The AuriNovo ear is a personalized tissue implant that is being tested in an ongoing clinical trial.

Microtia patients usually have ears made from synthetic materials. The process involves taking a sample from the patient's ear and pulling out the cells. 3D printed ear shapes are created from the cells and 3D printed. The company that makes the ear said that it is less likely to be rejected because it is made from the patient's own cells.

This year has been a big one for advancement in transplant technology. The patient who received a heart transplant with a pig heart died a few months after the surgery. 3D-printed lungs and blood vessels are being worked on. The New York Times reported that executives from 3D Bio said their technology could be used to print other body parts.

It will take a long time to get to that potential future because ears are simpler than organs. Adam Feinberg told The New York Times that it's more realistic if you have the ear.