Future path4 min read
Bioprinted organs
Researchers are trying to build living tissues and organs by combining cells with supporting scaffolds and biologically active molecules, including by 3D printing. Some simple engineered tissues such as skin and cartilage are FDA-approved but have limited use, while heart, lung and liver tissues remain a long way from being implanted in patients.
In 2019 the NIBIB announced a printing method that makes the interwoven networks that carry air, blood and other body fluids, and with it researchers made liver-like structures that survived after being implanted in mice with liver injury.
The main obstacle is that large engineered tissues do not stay alive because they lack vascular networks of veins and arteries, and it is difficult to print complex networks of blood vessels and airways. The researchers in the NIBIB news item estimate that bioprinting may become a major part of medicine within twenty years, which is an estimate and not a confirmed timeline.
- In widespread clinical use
- Approved for specific uses
- In clinical trials
- Preclinical
- Concept
Printing complex organs is at the laboratory and animal testing stage; and some simple engineered tissues such as skin and cartilage are approved but their use is limited.
- Simple engineered tissues such as artificial skin and cartilageApproved for specific uses
Approved by the FDA, but their use in patients is limited.1
- Supplementary bladders, small arteries, skin grafts and a windpipe
Implanted in patients according to the NIBIB, but they are engineered tissues and not printed complex organs.1
- Complex organs such as the heart, lung and liverPreclinical
Still far from being reproducible and ready to be implanted in a patient.12
Status last checked: · What the maturity levels mean
What is this path?
Tissue engineering is combining scaffolds, cells and biologically active molecules into functional tissues; see Tissue engineering.
Organ printing aims to make tissues containing the interwoven networks that carry air, blood and other body fluids.
Scientists are investigating the use of 3D printing to make living organs, and this research is at an early stage.
Where does the research stand?
Artificial skin and cartilage are among the engineered tissues the FDA has approved, but their use in patients is limited.
Supplementary bladders, small arteries, skin grafts and cartilage, and even a whole windpipe, have been implanted in patients.
In 2019 the NIBIB announced a printing method that makes interwoven networks for carrying air and blood, and liver-like structures that survived after being implanted in mice with liver injury.
What separates it from clinical use?
Heart, lung and liver tissues are still far from being reproducible and ready to be implanted in a patient.
Large engineered tissues do not stay alive because they lack vascular networks of veins and arteries.
Among the main challenges is the difficulty of printing networks of blood vessels, airways and other complex systems.
Common questions
Questions for your doctor
- What proven treatment options are there for my condition today?
- Are there approved clinical trials suitable for my condition?
References
- 1NIBIB (NIH). Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/tissue-engineering-and-regenerative-medicineHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-08
- 2NIBIB (NIH). Path paved for printing replacement organs. www.nibib.nih.gov/news-events/newsroom/path-paved-printing-replacement-organsHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-08
- 3U.S. FDA. Medical Applications of 3D Printing. www.fda.gov/medical-devices/3d-printing-medical-devices/medical-applications-3d-printingHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-08
Review status: Edited content · Last updated:
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Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.