UOW researchers Dr Stephen Beirne and Professor Gordon Wallace

Australian researchers developing a hand-held 3D printing pen which could revolutionise the treatment of corneal diseases and injuries have been given a boost, receiving a A$1.15M grant to further develop the iFix system.

Researchers at the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES) at University of Wollongong (UOW) have been developing iFix in collaboration with the Lions NSW Eye Bank and the University of Sydney’s Corneal Bioengineering Group. The device delivers a specialised bioink formulation to the eye defect with high accuracy to repair corneal ulcerations.

ACES Director Professor Gordon Wallace said the support provided by the NSW Government Medical Devices Fund will facilitate the translation of recent research into a commercial product. “We have partnered with the NSW Lions Eye Bank to bring together the variety of skills needed to tackle this challenging area practically and successfully,” Prof Wallace said. He added the team believes the advancement of this technology will have a significant impact on reducing corneal blindness in Australia and around the world.