Scientists Develop Artificial Adult Human Ear That is Indistinguishable from the Real Thing

New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Researchers have successfully created a replica of an adult human ear using advanced tissue engineering techniques and a 3D printer. This breakthrough could potentially revolutionize the way ear reconstructions are done, providing a more natural-looking and flexible solution for patients in need.

Traditionally, surgeons have relied on using cartilage from a child’s ribs to construct a replacement ear, a procedure that can be painful and leave scarring. While the resulting graft can resemble the recipient’s other ear, it often lacks the same level of flexibility.

The team at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell Engineering in the US have developed grafts that offer “well-defined anatomy and correct biomechanical properties for those with congenital malformations or those who have lost an ear later in life.”

Dr. Jason Spector, chief of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Centre, believes that this new technology could offer a realistic option for thousands of individuals in need of ear reconstruction surgeries.

In a study published in the journal Acta Biomaterialia, Dr. Spector and his team used sterilized animal-derived cartilage to create the ear replica, ensuring that it wouldn’t trigger an immune rejection response. Over time, the structure developed into cartilage closely resembling the ear’s natural anatomical features.

Despite this milestone, the engineered material was found to be not as strong as natural cartilage and could tear. To address this issue, Dr. Spector plans to incorporate “chondrocytes” into the mix, which would enhance the biomechanical properties of the graft to closely mimic a native ear.