Accelerated wound-healing ink uses 3D-printing pen

2023-06-02
1 min read.
Repaired mice wounds in just 12 days
Accelerated wound-healing ink uses 3D-printing pen
3-D printing pen prints gel that can help wounds of all shapes heal quickly and effectively (credit: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces)

Researchers in China and Singapore have developed a wound-healing ink that can actively encourage the body to heal. The ink can be spread into a cut of any shape using a standard 3D-printing pen. In mice, the technology nearly completely repaired wounds in just 12 days.

This method accelerates the natural healing process, in which extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from white blood cells play important roles in promoting blood vessel formation and reducing inflammation during healing.

PAINT treatment process

(credit: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces)

The team developed a system called PAINT (portable bioactive ink for tissue healing) using EVs secreted from macrophages combined with sodium alginate. These components were combined in a 3D-printing pen, mixing at the pen’s tip and forming a sturdy gel at the site of injury within three minutes.

The EVs promoted blood vessel formation and reduced inflammatory markers in human epithelial cells, shifting them into the “proliferative” (growth) phase of healing.

Citation. Paintable Bioactive Extracellular Vesicle Ink for Wound Healing. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2023, 15, 21, 25427–25436. May 19, 2023. DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c03630



Related Articles


Comments on this article

Before posting or replying to a comment, please review it carefully to avoid any errors. Reason: you are not able to edit or delete your comment on Mindplex, because every interaction is tied to our reputation system. Thanks!

Mindplex

Mindplex is an AI company, a decentralized media platform, a global brain experiment, and a community dedicated to the rapidly unfolding future. Our platform empowers our community to share and discuss futurist content while showcasing AI and blockchain tools that enhance the media experience. Join us and shape the future of digital media!

ABOUT US

FAQ

CONTACT

Editors

© 2025 MindPlex. All rights reserved