4D bioprinting describes a future where implants change their shape after printing, according to Fedor Senov, director of REC at NUST MISIS Biomedical Engineering. The field is moving toward smart materials that respond to external triggers in a controlled way, enabling implants to morph as needed after placement.
Senov notes that researchers are actively advancing smart materials to approach true 4D printing. The most common examples are shape memory materials. In one study, a respiratory stent designed for a dog was inserted in a compressed form within the larynx. Once the stent absorbed body heat, it expanded into a new, functional shape suitable for breathing, illustrating a practical, in-body transformation.
Beyond heat-responsive systems, there are materials that react to light, electromagnetic fields, changes in acidity, or humidity. These smart responses offer potential for minimally invasive procedures where the implant adapts after deployment without additional surgery.
The current emphasis is on form change because it supports less invasive implantation. However, the technology remains mainly in the research stage and has yet to reach routine clinical use or widespread medical practice.
Exploring the concept of a bioimplant reveals how such devices can be regarded as living in some respects and how advances in printing skin or other tissues on a patient are evolving. These ideas, discussed by researchers and practitioners in the field, illustrate a trajectory from laboratory experiments toward real-world medical applications.