Simplified engineering for wearable artificial skin

This technology is a simplified engineering method for 3D customizable skin substitutes using a 3D printed bioreactor.

Unmet Need: Simpler manufacturing for custom-shaped skin substitutes

Engineering human skin substitutes is a promising therapy that benefits over one million patients suffering from skin loss caused by burns, pressure injuries, diabetic ulcers, or genetic skin diseases. However, most commercially available skin grafts are small, flat, rectangular sheets that need to be sutured together to cover larger wounds. While a method for producing custom-shaped grafts has been developed, it relies on complex manufacturing processes that require external pumps, limiting its practicality.

The Technology: Simplified engineering for 3D customizable skin substitutes

This technology describes a method for engineering 3D human skin substitutes capable of fitting any part of the body, including irregular surfaces like hands or faces, without requiring complex manufacturing processes. A 3D model of the desired skin shape is created, which is then used to 3D print a bioreactor, comprising two medium chambers and a porous scaffold, where the skin will grow. The bioreactor is filled with a collagen gel mixture and cultured skin cells, allowing the gel to set. Afterward, additional skin cells are cultured, and the tissue is exposed to air, promoting the formation of dermal and epidermal layers. This technology enables simple, cost-effective, and accessible methods for creating 3D skin substitutes, with potential applications in burn treatment, trauma medicine, wound healing, regenerative medicine, and disease modeling.

This technology has been validated with mouse hindlimbs.

Applications:

• Skin grafting
• Research tools for skin wounds
• Dermatological disease modeling
• Cosmetic testing
• Wound covering and tissue regeneration
• Training tools for medical staff

Advantages:

• Cost-effective
• Simple manufacturing process
• Customizable for any body part
• Personalized to the patient

Lead Inventor:

Hasan Erbil Abaci, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending (WO/2025/5155899)

Related Publications:

• Pappalardo A, Alvarez Cespedes D, Fang S, Herschman AR, Jeon EY, Myers KM, Kysar JW, Abaci HE. “Engineering edgeless human skin with enhanced biomechanical properties.” Science Advances. 2023 Jan 27;9(4):eade2514.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU24168

• Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu