An innovative piece of biotechnology developed at Georgia Tech, in collaboration with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, has significantly improved the life of a child suffering from a rare windpipe birth defect. The treatment involves a 3D-printed tracheal splint, which has enabled 4-year-old Justice Altidore to live a normal life.

Justice was born with tracheomalacia (TM), a condition that affects 1 in 2,100 children and is the most common inherited birth defect of the windpipe, according to Cleveland Clinic. TM causes weak or floppy cartilage in the trachea, leading to the collapse of its walls and restricted breathing. Traditional treatments often prove ineffective and usually result in labored breathing and reliance on a ventilator during early childhood.

The groundbreaking splints developed by Georgia Tech are made from bioabsorbable material that supports the trachea like a bone splint. Over time, as the cartilage naturally develops, these splints are absorbed by the body.

Pediatric cardiologist Dr. Kevin Maher and pediatric otolaryngologist Dr. Steven Goudy supervised the treatment of Justice and three other children who received these custom tracheal splints as part of an FDA-approved expanded access trial. All four children have shown significant improvements in their respiratory capabilities, marking a new era of care for this specialized field.

However, this isn’t the first time 3D printing has been used for tracheal recovery. GNN reported earlier this year about a biotech company that successfully transplanted a bio-3D-printed windpipe into a human body – a world first. This process involved replicating nasal stem cells and cartilage cells from other patients, combining them with polycaprolactone (PCL) for structural support, and using a special ink made from living cells to create the trachea.

The transplant took place at St. Mary’s Hospital in Seoul on a woman in her 50s who had lost part of her trachea during thyroid removal surgery. The unique 3D printer used in this procedure, backed by over a decade of research and testing, was provided by T&R Biofab.

These extraordinary stories underscore the remarkable advancements in medical technology, offering hope for patients with complex health conditions. Be sure to SHARE these Incredible Stories Of Medical Tech With Your Friends… 

credit – Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Source: Good News Network