Columbus Doctor Reveals Technological Advances in Regenerative Medicine

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - Oct 16, 2014) - Dr. David Dean of the Ohio State University Department of Plastic Surgery has been researching regenerative medicine for nearly two decades. His research during this time has made significant contributions toward the development of medical 3D printing and bone tissue engineering. Dr. Dean recently authored a series of blog posts, shedding light on how the technological innovations of his lab have improved the ways in which surgeons approach reconstructive surgery.

"When patients need a portion of their skull reconstructed due to cancer or physical injury, reconstructive and plastic surgeons rely on our technologies to replace the lost portion of bone with an implant," says Dr. Dean in his blog "Technological Innovations in Reconstructive Surgery." Patients of OSU's plastic surgery department are oftentimes missing 2-3 inches of bone or more, and Dr. Dean is continually striving to advance the methods of restoring the skull's structural integrity. When discussing the current process of creating a customized implant, he highlights: "3D printers are now being used for end stage manufacturing -- the actual fabrication of the final product and not just a prototype."

Part two of his series, titled "Regenerative Medicine: Advancements In The Making," focuses on Dean Lab's current projects and outlines their two primary endeavors: strengthening jawbone implants so they can receive a dental implant and growing bone in such a way that increases the chances of the body accepting an implant. These projects are funded by the Department of Defense and the National Institute of Health, respectively.

Shifting his attention toward upcoming developments in his field, Dr. Dean hypothesizes where research will turn next in a final post titled "The Future of Regenerative Medicine." He says, "In regard to the potential evolution of 3D printing, I don't believe the future of the medical field differs much from these other fields." Dr. Dean points out that 3D printing is currently being used by a wide variety of professionals, including flight aerodynamic engineers and architects, and the technology is even spilling into the general consumer market. He explains that "the most significant developments in 3D printing will be advancements in the materials used and the available design software." Dr. Dean believes that by increasing the methods for customizing implants to patients' unique physiology, it will become easier to successfully repair serious bone loss and traumatic injury.

About The Ohio State University Department of Plastic Surgery

The Ohio State University Department of Plastic Surgery is comprised of 14 doctors that specialize in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. The practice offers a wide array of treatments and procedures, including cosmetic plastic surgery, complex reconstruction after trauma, pediatric surgery, hand and elbow surgery, and skin cancer reconstruction. The doctors at OSU Department of Plastic Surgery are available for interview upon request.

For more information about the OSU Department of Plastic Surgery and the Dean Lab, visit osuplasticsurgery.com, osteoengineering.com, and facebook.com/OSUPlasticSurgery.

To view the original source of this press release, click here: http://www.osuplasticsurgery.com/practice-news/columbus-doctor-reveals-technological-advances-in-regenerative-medicine