1. Are there any external resources that can be used by the damaged component?
Answer: Yes
2. Do these external resources directly replace the damaged component?
Answer: Yes
3. Can the repair begin without an external energy resource?
Answer: No
4. Does the external resource belong to the original mechanism?
Answer: No
5. Is the external resource manufactured the same way as the mechanism?
Answer: Yes
5) Transplant, 3D printing
In the more recent years scientists have been working with computer scientists to engineer something that can create an organ that can be used in the body. They have engineered a printer that can print 3D tissues using cells (OÕToole). First they grow human cells in vitro from biopsies or stem cells. Then they feed the cells into the printer that can take the cells and arrange them in a specific order based on the cell type. As more are added the structure will start forming into a 3D shaped structure looking like a human generated organ. Then the cells signal to each to fuse together so they can create a more fluid, communicative system. Since this project is still in the first years of its invention there have not been any substantial experiments with transplanting the 3D structure into a being. Although next year scientists believe that they will finally be able to give someone a 3D printed organ transplant (ÒWorldÕs First 3D-bioprinted Transplant-ready OrganÓ). Once they are available the recipient will undergo surgery to insert the organ into place.
O’Toole, James. “3-D-printed Organs Are on the Way.” CNNMoney. Cable News Network, 4 Nov. 2014. Web. 20 Jan. 2015.
http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/04/technology/innovationnation/3d-printed-organs/
“World’s First 3D-bioprinted Transplant-ready Organ to Be Unveiled in Early 2015.” World’s First 3D-bioprinted Transplant-ready Organ to Be Unveiled in Early 2015. RT News, 4 Nov. 2014. Web. 20 Jan. 2015.
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