ARTHROprint: A System for the Immediate Restoration of Cartilage Lesions by Implantation of Printable Autologous Cell Scaffolds

The proposed framework aims to develop a pioneering system for imaging the geometry of a lesion during arthroscopic surgery and simultaneously printing a 3D scaffold of biological absorbable material for autologous cell transplantation in a single procedure. This innovative approach utilizes a number of technologies, including 3D printing of biomaterials, stereoscopic endoscopy, and automatic methods for extracting scaffold geometry. The system operates at three levels, enabling pre-operative imaging, intra-operative reconstruction of the lesion, and the bio-printing and implantation of the scaffold. The use of autologous cells on a synthetic scaffold offers many advantages, including reduced surgical time, lower risk of contamination, and more effective treatment. The proposed system addresses the need for a single procedure to address the repair of large chondral lesions and offers significant improvements over existing techniques. The system combines advanced imaging, modeling, and bio-printing technologies to provide an innovative solution for orthopedic surgeons.