High-Tech Team Printing 3D Organs at 30,000 Feet Techshot
go to original June 27, 2016

B Roll: First Heart Structure 3D Printed in Zero Gravity with Adult Human Stem Cells (Techshot)

A trio of high-tech companies have teamed up to develop a space hardened 3D bioprinter capable of manufacturing human organs and tissues in orbit. A June 14 test of the consortium’s prototype resulted in the first successful printing of cardiac and vascular structures in zero gravity with adult human stem cells. The experiment was performed 30,000 feet over the Gulf of Mexico aboard a Zero Gravity Corporation aircraft capable of repeatedly producing several seconds of sustained microgravity.

Led by longtime NASA contractor Techshot Inc. – along with nScrypt Inc., a manufacturer of industrial 3D bioprinters and electronics printers, and bioink developer Bioficial Organs Inc. – the effort could result in the ability to manufacture transplantable organs in space for patients on earth, and help enable long-duration human exploration of deep space.

Data from the flight will be used to design and construct a smaller and more robust bioprinter, which the consortium hopes to see launched and operated autonomously aboard a commercial Blue Origin suborbital space capsule next January. A version designed for the International Space Station (ISS), capable of printing thicker, more complex tissues is expected to follow in 2018.

About Techshot
For more than 25 years, Techshot Inc., has been developing new technologies for the aerospace, defense and medical industries. Its devices have flown aboard parabolic-flight aircraft, sub-orbital rockets, space shuttles, the SpaceX Cargo Dragon and the International Space Station. Its Space Act Agreement with NASA permits Techshot to commercially operate its equipment aboard the station. Since 2015 the Techshot designed and built Bone Densitometer has been conducting X-rays of mice in space for biopharma companies such as Novartis and Eli Lilly. The company is headquartered in Greenville, Ind., and maintains an office at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. www.techshot.space

About nScrypt
Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., nScrypt manufactures micro-dispensing and 3D printing systems. It is a spin out from Sciperio Inc., a research and development think tank specializing in cross-disciplinary solutions. In collaboration with Dr. Williams, Sciperio won the R & D 100 award in 2003 for developing the world’s first commercially available bio printer, under a contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The company serves the electronics, electronics packaging, solar cell metallization, printed antenna, life science and chemical/pharmaceutical industries. www.nscrypt.com

About Bioficial Organs
A spin out by personnel from the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute in Louisville, Ky., Bioficial Organs Inc., is dedicated to providing solutions to human diseases by using 3D printing in space to create new tissues and organs on demand. Besides hearts, the company is exploring the manufacture of human livers, pancreases and hands. www.cvregen.com

About ZERO-G
Zero Gravity Corporation is a privately held space entertainment and tourism company. ZERO-G is the first and only FAA-approved provider of weightless flight in the U.S. for the general public; entertainment and film industries; corporate and incentive markets; research and education sectors; and the government. www.gozerog.com

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