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3-Dimensional Printing of Novel Biomimetic Tympanic Membrane Grafts
Surgery to correct perforations of the tympanic membrane (TM) typically uses autologous graft materials with suboptimal healing and hearing outcomes, partly due to inconsistent material architecture. Our team is developing novel 3D-printable biodegradable grafts to improve hearing and healing outcom
Our project is a collaborative, translational effort between the labs of Aaron Remenschneider, MD, MPH and Elliott Kozin, MD at Massachusetts Eye & Ear in downtown Boston and the lab of Jennifer Lewis, ScD at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering in Cambridge, MA. Our multidisciplinary team studies a variety of middle ear pathologies and applies novel engineering solutions to improve outcomes following middle ear surgery. Specifically, we study the tympanic membrane (TM, eardrum) and ossicles (bones of hearing).
Tympanic membrane perforations occur following traumatic injury, cholesteatoma, and chronic otitis media. Overall, TM perforations affect more than 30 million individuals worldwide annually, leading to a health care burden. Unfortunately, tympanoplasty procedures to repair perforations are invasive and require multiple hours under general anesthesia. Additionally, these procedures require harvesting autologous tissue to use as graft material, using additional surgeon time and creating another site for potential surgical infections. Thus, many patients in low-resource settings do not undergo tympanoplasty procedures to repair their TM perforations, leaving the hole to the middle ear open and leading to a decrease in sound conduction and increased risk of infection, pain and dizziness.
Our lab is creating biomimetic 3D-printed TM grafts that mimic the circular and radial architecture of the native TM. Our goal is to improve reconstructed TM vibration at both low and high frequencies. The acoustic, biodegradation, and remodeling properties of these grafts are currently being studied in vitro and in vivo. We are interested in improving healing and hearing outcomes for patients by exploring the impact of material and architecture on tissue remodeling and resultant sound conduction. Our team is also exploring the field of location-specific TM grafts depending on the size and location of the perforation.
Overall, we aim to expand access to tympanoplasty procedures for patients around the globe. New approaches for in-clinic placement of TM grafts are being explored, including new material design, surgical tools, and placement strategies. Additionally, we are interested in exploring applications for our novel biodegradable elastomeric ink beyond TM grafts and into other applications including nerve grafts, cartilage grafts, muscle grafts, and vascular grafts.
Our project is a collaborative, translational effort between the labs of Aaron Remenschneider, MD, MPH and Elliott Kozin, MD at Massachusetts Eye & Ear in downtown Boston and the lab of Jennifer Lewis, ScD at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering in Cambridge, MA. Our multidisciplinary team studies a variety of middle ear pathologies and applies novel engineering solutions to improve outcomes following middle ear surgery. Specifically, we study the tympanic membrane (TM, eardrum) and ossicles (bones of hearing).
Tympanic membrane perforations occur following traumatic injury, cholesteatoma, and chronic otitis media. Overall, TM perforations affect more than 30 million individuals worldwide annually, leading to a health care burden. Unfortunately, tympanoplasty procedures to repair perforations are invasive and require multiple hours under general anesthesia. Additionally, these procedures require harvesting autologous tissue to use as graft material, using additional surgeon time and creating another site for potential surgical infections. Thus, many patients in low-resource settings do not undergo tympanoplasty procedures to repair their TM perforations, leaving the hole to the middle ear open and leading to a decrease in sound conduction and increased risk of infection, pain and dizziness.
Our lab is creating biomimetic 3D-printed TM grafts that mimic the circular and radial architecture of the native TM. Our goal is to improve reconstructed TM vibration at both low and high frequencies. The acoustic, biodegradation, and remodeling properties of these grafts are currently being studied in vitro and in vivo. We are interested in improving healing and hearing outcomes for patients by exploring the impact of material and architecture on tissue remodeling and resultant sound conduction. Our team is also exploring the field of location-specific TM grafts depending on the size and location of the perforation.
Overall, we aim to expand access to tympanoplasty procedures for patients around the globe. New approaches for in-clinic placement of TM grafts are being explored, including new material design, surgical tools, and placement strategies. Additionally, we are interested in exploring applications for our novel biodegradable elastomeric ink beyond TM grafts and into other applications including nerve grafts, cartilage grafts, muscle grafts, and vascular grafts.
We are seeking a visiting student for a 6 month or longer research stay to assist with the development and characterization of novel 3D-printed TM grafts. The role would involve polymer synthesis, materials formulation, 3D printing, in vitro cell culture, and in vitro acoustic testing for novel 3D-printed TM grafts. This research fellow would also be working alongside both our engineering and surgical team to explore function and feasibility of grafts for use in the ear. For example, they would be investigating surgical handling, medical grade materials, scale-up manufacturing, and regulatory pathways while participating in highly translational research.
The student should have an interest in translational medicine, specifically translating science and engineering advancements into a surgical setting. This project would be well-suited for a student in biomedical engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, or chemistry with a specific interest in the intersection of materials science and medical devices. The project would be best for a student with a concurrent interest in ear and hearing disorders, but experience in this space is not required. The student will be mentored by an MD in Otolaryngology, a PhD in bioengineering and a research assistant with a background in biomedical engineering. We are happy to craft a specific thesis project for the student that best matches their specific research interests.
We are seeking a visiting student for a 6 month or longer research stay to assist with the development and characterization of novel 3D-printed TM grafts. The role would involve polymer synthesis, materials formulation, 3D printing, in vitro cell culture, and in vitro acoustic testing for novel 3D-printed TM grafts. This research fellow would also be working alongside both our engineering and surgical team to explore function and feasibility of grafts for use in the ear. For example, they would be investigating surgical handling, medical grade materials, scale-up manufacturing, and regulatory pathways while participating in highly translational research.
The student should have an interest in translational medicine, specifically translating science and engineering advancements into a surgical setting. This project would be well-suited for a student in biomedical engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, or chemistry with a specific interest in the intersection of materials science and medical devices. The project would be best for a student with a concurrent interest in ear and hearing disorders, but experience in this space is not required. The student will be mentored by an MD in Otolaryngology, a PhD in bioengineering and a research assistant with a background in biomedical engineering. We are happy to craft a specific thesis project for the student that best matches their specific research interests.