emirates7 - Russian researchers at the National University of Science and Technology MISIS (NUST MISIS) have created a technique to produce custom thyroid cartilage implants for the larynx.

These implants are manufactured using 3D bioprinting technology, tailored to the patient’s unique anatomical features, enabling surgical replacement of damaged throat areas. The team has already developed a prototype of this implant.

According to the researchers, the method is cost-effective and suitable for large-scale production of medical devices.

Hyaline cartilage plays a vital role in the larynx by ensuring smooth movement of its joint surfaces, providing essential structural support, protecting nearby organs, preventing airway collapse, and serving as an attachment site for muscles and ligaments. However, because it lacks blood vessels and has slow cell regeneration, it has limited capacity to heal after injury.

This issue commonly affects cancer patients, particularly those in advanced stages (III or IV), where tumors invade the larynx, necessitating removal of the thyroid cartilage. Laryngeal cancer ranks among the most prevalent cancers of the head and neck region.

To solve this, the scientists proposed printing a thermoplastic polyurethane mesh customized for each patient, followed by thermoforming. To promote cell attachment on the mesh surface, they suggest coating it with collagen or applying a biocompatible polyelectrolyte complex made from chitosan and polyglutamic acid, both widely used in regenerative medicine.