The New Era of 3-D Printing and Digital Thera...

The New Era of 3-D Printing and Digital Therapeutics for Chronic Kidney Disease – Highlights and Challenges

Author Name : Nileena Anna Varghese, Dr. Lincy George

ABSTRACT

There is an unmet burden rising in our society due to the issue of chronic kidney disease. Organ failure and tissue damage have become one of the commonest causes of compromised quality of life in today’s world. Due to this enormous need in our society, our world looks forward to new life-saving treatment initiatives that can address this issue. This is where the role of 3-D bio-printed kidneys and digital therapeutics comes in. With recent bioprinting technologies and research, scientists succeeded in creating 3-D kidney models by combining cells, biomaterials, and other biological factors in a pre-designed manner. This innovation is a breakthrough for researchers in understanding renal disease better, improving various therapeutic areas, and developing regenerative or replacement treatments ^[1]. When it comes to digital therapeutics, because of the 2020 pandemic patients found shelter in telehealth and digital therapeutics. Because of this new normal, an exciting technology called digital therapeutics came into practice.  The impact of digital therapeutics influenced the field of chronic kidney disease greatly ^[2]. But, like any intervention, these fields might also face some disadvantages compared to the advantages. In this paper, we will discuss the new findings about 3-D bioprinting and digital therapeutics with their highlights and challenges.

Keywords: 3-D bioprinting, Bio-printed Kidneys, Digital therapeutics, renal disease.