Say goodbye to cauliflower ears! Chinese scientists create an injection which fixes deformed ears in mice and could work on humans

  • Deformed ears are a hallmark of contact sports, including boxing and rugby
  • Chinese scientists found a way to sculpt fresh tissue using 3D bioprinting 
  • Was tested on mice and was able to create brand new ear-shaped supportive tissue and correct defects

People living with ear defects, including sports stars blighted by cauliflower ears, may soon be able to repair decades of damage with a single injection. 

Deformed ears are the hallmark of many contact sports, plaguing ex-boxers, rugby players and wrestlers due to repetitive blunt force trauma. 

Experiments on mice conducted by Chinese scientists found a way to sculpt new tissue using a 3D bioprinting technique. 

The study found the method was highly effective and able to create brand new ear-shaped supportive tissue and correct defects. 

Deformed ears are the hallmark of many contact sports, plaguing many ex-boxers, rugby players and wrestlers due to repetitive bunt force trauma. Ex-England Rugby captain and coach Martin Johnson (pictured) was a forward and suffers from so-called cauliflower ears

Deformed ears are the hallmark of many contact sports, plaguing many ex-boxers, rugby players and wrestlers due to repetitive bunt force trauma. Ex-England Rugby captain and coach Martin Johnson (pictured) was a forward and suffers from so-called cauliflower ears 

The non-invasive technique successfully formed perfect ears on mice that had been genetically programmed to develop deformed ones.

It corrected their organ so it looked perfect and it is thought the procedure could be applied to humans.  

It could also lead to the replacement of other body parts without a risky operation.

Co-author Professor Maling Gou said: 'The technology could be adapted for clinical use in humans.

'This would potentially enable many different types of minimally invasive or non-invasive reconstructive surgeries.'

Cauliflower ears are caused by repeated blunt force trauma. It is a permanent condition and currently can only be fixed via surgery. UFC star Randy Couture (pictured) is one sufferer. Chinese scientists are working on a non-invasive method to treat deformed ears

Cauliflower ears are caused by repeated blunt force trauma. It is a permanent condition and currently can only be fixed via surgery. UFC star Randy Couture (pictured) is one sufferer. Chinese scientists are working on a non-invasive method to treat deformed ears 

Cauliflower ears are caused by blunt force trauma

Deformed ears are the hallmark of many contact sports, plaguing many ex-boxers, rugby players and wrestlers due to repetitive bunt force trauma. 

It is a permanent condition caused when cartilage of the ear is injured by trauma or inflammation.

Blood supply from the skin is disrupted, often forming a large pocket of blood, called a hematoma. 

As the injury to the ear heals it can fold in on itself and appear pale, giving it a cauliflower-like appearance.

Wrestlers, boxers, rugby players and martial artists are susceptible to this injury. 

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A microchip called a DMB (digital micromirror device) with a customised pattern is inserted beneath the skin.

This triggers the 'bioink' which is filled with a cocktail of chemicals and cartilage cells that is simultaneously administered beneath the skin at the back of the ear.

The ink then begins correcting the structure of the ear by creating new structures, layer by layer.  

A month later, the cartilage had maintained its shape and was also colonised by blood vessels and muscles that began to grow and renew themselves normally.

The international team's method creates layers of tissue - similar to how spare parts are built by conventional 3D printers in industry.  

Professor Gou, of Sichuan University, China, said: 'After 20 seconds, the ear began to take form.'

The 'bioink', described in Science Advances, is directed using rays of near infrared light.  

'It may provide a surgery-free option for humans with this condition who often undergo surgical implantations at the risk of injury,' Profesor Gou adds.

'More broadly, this 3D printing technique may open a new avenue for non-invasive medicine to address other conditions and reconstructive needs.'

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