First-ever 3D printed penis

3D-printed penises have been implanted in rabbits and pigs, enabling them to mate and reproduce within weeks. In the future, this technology could be applied to humans.

3D-printed penis helps rabbits regain their ability to mate and reproduce - Photo: pbs.org

A team of international researchers from China, Japan, and the United States has made a significant breakthrough in 3D printing of body organs, a fascinating yet extremely challenging aspect of biomedical engineering.

These are the world's first 3D-printed penis models that could help animals with penile problems regain functions such as mating and reproduction.

One of the fundamental challenges in printing an organ from its basic tissues is the network of blood vessels. In the case of the penis, this network of blood vessels has the specific function of producing an erection, with blood pooling in the corpora cavernosa causing the penis to become erect.

The research team used hydrogel to 3D print models of the penis, including the main structures of the corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum, along with the urethral structure and the white membrane covering them, according to IFLScience on March 4th.

This approach allows them to study defects and characteristics in the normal function of the penis in vitro without the need for animals or humans. Damage to the tunica albuginea and corpus cavernosum can lead to pathological conditions.

Specifically, the team aims to create in-vitro models of erectile dysfunction and Peyronie's disease, a condition of penile fibrosis caused by scar tissue that results in a curved and painful penis.

The hydrogel model was used to demonstrate how blood flows into the corpus cavernosum, causing it to become engorged, and how the cavernous sinuses act as a valve to block blood flow, helping to achieve and maintain an erection.

The team also created 3D-printed models of penises for implantation in rabbits and pigs with penile problems. Within weeks, normal erectile function was restored, allowing them to mate and reproduce.

This work opens up possibilities for potential clinical applications of bioengineered cavernous bodies in the treatment of penile injuries. Simultaneously, the research also promotes the clinical application of 3D-printed artificial tissue organs.

The research was published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering .

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lan-dau-tien-in-3d-duong-vat-20250305102954574.htm