Research changes tissue medicine
The successes of tissue engineering and new approaches from research open up unforeseen possibilities for tissue medicine. A lot of what seemed experimental years ago has now arrived in medical applications. Tissue donation, tissue processing and transplantation will continue to evolve over the next few years. It is still a long way before doctors can transplant organs and tissue cultivated in the laboratory. This is why classical tissue transplants will continue to play an important role in the care of patients. At the same time, research for the development of new processing and surgical methods continues in the tissue network. Whether corneas, heart valves, blood vessels or bone implants – the trend towards improving tissue transplants is irreversible.
LaMEK – Pre-Cut Grafts for DMEK
Lamellar corneal transplants are operations on the eye in which surgeons only transplant ultra-thin layers of the cornea. Ophthalmologists have so far prepared these thin lamellas directly before transplantation in the operating theatre. The risk of failure, especially of inexperienced transplanters, is high. The DGFG has developed a unique process in Germany to produce lamellas for DMEK directly in the corneal bank. The approval of the Paul Ehrlich Institute for distribution has been available since December 2015. The work and time required by ophthalmologists in the operating room is reduced. At the same time, it is ensured that the corneal transplantation actually takes place. A study is currently investigating the use of a newly developed transport cartridge for optimal insertion of the lamella into the patient’s eye.