World-first trial 3D prints skin directly onto wounds using robotic technology

In a world-first clinical trial, a robot developed by an Australian biotech company is being used to 3D print human skin directly onto wounds, marking a significant leap in tissue regeneration. The study, led by researchers at Concord Repatriation General Hospital, is already treating patients using Inventia Life Science’s pioneering Ligō surgical robot.

This innovative trial is part of a safety study involving ten patients – five of whom have already undergone the procedure. It’s the first clinical application of Ligō that prints biomaterials directly onto a patient’s wound, transforming how clinicians approach complex skin and tissue injuries.

“My original vision was to accelerate biomedical discovery by developing cutting-edge instruments that advance cell model research and at the same time, to translate the core technology into meaningful clinical applications, such as tissue and skin regeneration,” said Inventia founder and CEO Dr Julio Ribeiro.

Inventia Life Science received recent funding through the NSW Health Medical Devices Fund, helping drive the development and clinical trial of the Ligō technology. The company’s journey began with an initial $1 million investment from MTPConnect’s BioMedTech Horizons program in 2020.

Among the first to benefit from the technology is graduate nurse Rebecca Jane Torbruegge. After suffering a leg burn in a go-karting accident at Eastern Creek, she sought care at Concord’s Burns Unit.

“When my skin started bubbling I knew something was wrong and I got in touch with the Burns Unit at Concord,” she said.

There, she met Dr Jo Maitz, Group Lead of the Burns and Reconstructive Surgery Research Group, who presented an opportunity to join a world-first trial using a patient’s own skin cells to print new tissue directly onto the wound.

Torbruegge recently reunited with her care team to meet NSW Health Minister Ryan Park and Strathfield MP Jason Yat-Sen Li, showcasing the impact of the new technology.

“This is life-changing technology that can make a world of difference to people with burns injuries and soft tissue loss and further enhances Concord Burns Unit’s reputation as a developing centre of excellence for burns care globally,” Minister Park said.

“We know that people with serious burns face a range of medical complications, including wound healing and scarring, so this breakthrough offers a promising new approach to accelerate recovery, reduce pain, and improve long-term outcomes for patients.”

Torbruegge described her recovery experience as unexpectedly smooth. She said, “I was so surprised there was no pain – I was expecting some pain – at least in the spot where they took the graft – but it was fine. My biggest issue was staying still for six days.”

Poor wound healing remains a persistent challenge in burn care, often leading to extensive scarring, diminished quality of life, and increased healthcare burden. By offering a minimally invasive, cell-based alternative to traditional grafting, the Ligō system could redefine standard wound care and regenerative surgery.

“This is the future. It is a world first at Concord Hospital, to 3D print at the bedside,” said Dr Maitz.

“By enabling precision-driven, in-situ soft tissue reconstruction, Ligō has the potential to transform surgical workflows and set a new standard of care across a range of modalities,” added Dr Ribeiro.

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