EndoPrint3D – Endoscopic Bio-3D Printing on the Microscale

Minimally invasive methods can heal injuries in the body without damaging surrounding tissue. The EndoPrint3D project combines a fiber optic endoscope with 3D printing of biogenic materials to repair organ damage at the micrometer scale. A system consisting of a femtosecond laser, a multi-core fiber, micro-optics, microfluidic components and printable biomaterials is being developed. This system is designed to apply customized bio-inks directly to the injured organ and cure on-site with microscopic precision using the laser. At the same time, the 3D printing process can be monitored endoscopically in real time.

Currently, femtosecond 3D printing is only possible using a stationary microscope objective as a print head, which has the diameter of a 2-euro coin. As part of the project, this print head will be scaled down to the size of a thin needle and made movable.

EndoPrint3D is intended to enable endoscopic 3D printing of biomaterials directly in the body. This would revolutionize plastic microsurgery: In the future, holes in the hearts of embryos or premature babies could be repaired, for example, or repairs could be made to the ossicles.