New Biomaterials Let Doctors Gently Sculpt Your Facial Features
Omar Yusuf — August 1, 2011 — Tech
References: technologyreview & gizmodo
Led by Alexander Hillel, researchers at the John Hopkins University have completed development on a half-organic, half-synthetic biomaterial that's capable of delicately reshaping the bodies soft tissues after damaging accidents or deforming diseases.
The future of plastic surgeons is uncertain, as this new tech may ostensibly nullify their purpose. The new biomaterial, as of yet unnamed, can be implanted under the skin as a liquid, moulded to specific dimensions and permanently secured into place by an LED light. Currently, there are few solutions offered to people whose lips, cheeks or soft flesh have been damaged, but this new innovation could conceivably give them a way out.
A portion of the public generally assumes that any plastic surgery is automatically an elective procedure, but some patients -- particularly after fires or car accidents -- suffer terrible stigmatization because of their appearance. The biomaterial developed at JHU is a ticket back to normalcy for them, and it could reshape the plastic surgery industry forever!
The future of plastic surgeons is uncertain, as this new tech may ostensibly nullify their purpose. The new biomaterial, as of yet unnamed, can be implanted under the skin as a liquid, moulded to specific dimensions and permanently secured into place by an LED light. Currently, there are few solutions offered to people whose lips, cheeks or soft flesh have been damaged, but this new innovation could conceivably give them a way out.
A portion of the public generally assumes that any plastic surgery is automatically an elective procedure, but some patients -- particularly after fires or car accidents -- suffer terrible stigmatization because of their appearance. The biomaterial developed at JHU is a ticket back to normalcy for them, and it could reshape the plastic surgery industry forever!
Trend Themes
1. Half-organic Half-synthetic Biomaterial - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Development of new biomaterials that can reshape soft tissues, potentially disrupting the plastic surgery industry.
2. Liquid Implantable Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Advancement in implantable technology that can be customized and permanently secured, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional plastic surgery.
3. Non-invasive Facial Reshaping - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creation of non-invasive procedures that allow individuals with damaged facial features to regain normalcy without undergoing elective plastic surgery.
Industry Implications
1. Biomaterials - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Development of new biomaterials that have applications in the medical and cosmetic industry, potentially changing the landscape of reconstructive procedures.
2. Medical Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Advancements in medical technology that offer non-invasive solutions for reshaping facial features, providing an alternative to conventional plastic surgery methods.
3. Cosmetic Surgery - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transformation of the cosmetic surgery industry by introducing non-invasive procedures that address damaged soft tissues, expanding the range of available treatments.
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