Mar. 20, 2015 | By Simon
While we’ve seen numerous applications for 3D printing in the medical sector - particularly in the bioprinting industry - most of the efforts towards using additive manufacturing methods for creating biological objects has been geared towards aiding those who have lost something and are needing a replacement. This has included everything from ear and nose cavities to dentures and even internal organs. A new company wants to take what we are currently doing with bioprinting and elevate it to a futuristic status that includes eyeballs that feature built-in augmented reality.
After catching wind of Will.i.am’s ethical stance towards 3D printing and humans, MHOX was inspired to share the work that they have been working on the last couple of years that they think will enhance the human experience rather than go against any sort of ethical argument such as the one brought up by Will.i.am (whose origins of authority in the additive manufacturing industry is still yet to be known).
The vision that MHOX sees involves their synthetic printed eyeballs that they are simply calling EYE (Enhance Your Eye). If the they’re able to overcome technological hurdles between now and their expected product launch in 2027, the company hopes to not only help prevent blindness but also sharpen and filter sight and connect the human eye to WiFi for recording and sharing visual experiences with an augmented reality option.
In order for their EYE platform to work on a human, MHOX has determined that an individual would be required to undergo an operation that completely removes their natural eyes - whether or not they work or not. By removing the natural biological eyes, this would give doctors access to place an organic ‘deck’. Once the deck has been installed in a user’s eye sockets, it will act as a permanent connection point between the optical nerves that connect to the brain and one of three MHOX-designed EYE models, which can be swapped an upgraded like today’s smartphones and tablets.
All of the EYE models will be bioprinted using a printer that uses a special needle to drop various types of cells needed to create the various tissues that make up the EYE. The cells will be contained in a special substance called bio-ink and the printer will be able to swap out different bio-inks similar to today’s filaments in order to print different layers within each of the EYE models. Once the cells have been dropped they will automatically fuse together to create a finished and ready-to-be-installed EYE model.
Altogether, MHOX has conceived of three separate EYE models for three separate kinds of users:
The first product, EYE Heal, is aimed at replacing the natural eye with a bioprinted EYE model that is able to function better than a patient’s own eye. This would be an ideal model for those that are suffering any number of eye degeneration, disease or external trauma.
The second product, EYE Enhance, would be similar to the EYE Heal except for that it would include a “hyper-retina” that would enable humans to see more sharp than the standard 20/20 vision that is currently considered “normal eyesight” for humans. This model would operate through a separate gland that aesthetically filters visual signals when activated by enzymes that would be added to a pill. The pill will come in any number of varieties that can activate any number of visual filters to enhance existing eyesight.
The third product, EYE Advance, would be similar to the EYE Enhance however this model would include WiFi connectivity to be able to connect to any number of devices that would be able to pair with the EYE platform. When in-use, a user would be able capture images or live stream and record an event using just their eyesight.
“Latest developments in bioprinting and biohacking let us imagine that in the near future it would be possible to easily print organic, functional body parts, allowing the human to replace defected districts or enhance standard performance,” says the MHOX website.
“This project is based on the idea of augmenting the sight sense, increasing the functionalities of the eye with ones currently handled by other body segments or external devices.”
Although their projected release date - 2027 - is quite a few years off, it’s exciting to see how visionaries are interpreting today’s existing technologies into their vision of what the not-too-distant-future might look like and how 3D printing may have a significant impact on the experiences that we not only share on our own, but also with others.
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
Maybe you also like:
- Project Ryptide drone flies life-rings to save the lives of swimmers
- Watch Tony Stark delivers real 3D printed 'Iron Man' prosthetic arm to seven-year-old fan
- Haier unveils world's first 3D printed air conditioner, sold immediately on-site for $6400
- Ground-breaking 3D printer for small molecules could speed up custom drug development
- Artist 3D prints cosplay suit of Gabriel from the Last Man Standing graphic novel series
- Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham uses 3D scanning and printing to create custom "talking" hot rod
- New Zealand-based Printable Scenery 3D prints gorgeous Maori Pa wargaming scenery
Although I know some individuals have this kind of enhancements naturally added to their biologies it is an enhancement no doubt. Still I will like to add this in a contact lense context. We are far away from the capabilities of replacing a natural organ attached to the brain.
3Ders.org provides the latest news about 3D printing technology and 3D printers. We are now seven years old and have around 1.5 million unique visitors per month.
