A new hip, at the touch of a button

Another aspect is vascularity. Again, in simple terms, bones have blood vessels and need blood to thrive.

It would be best if 3-D printed bone materials had blood vessels in them.

Another avenue of research is using ‘‘allogeneic stem cells’’, cells donated by another person for culturing and eventual transplant.

Using a patient’s own cells is preferred at this time because it presents fewer complications around rejection.

But there might be circumstances where using a donor’s cells is preferred, Woodfield says.

For example, using a patient’s own cells will likely require two surgeries – one to harvest cells and a second for the implant.

If allogeneic cells are used, then a single surgery is possible, Woodfield says.

There’s also promise in drug testing. Future labs could 3-D print thousands of cancerous tumours, for example.

Experimental drugs could be applied and monitored. In theory, a 3-D printed tumour would be a more accurate reflection of reality than tumour cells lying flat in a petri dish.

Veterinary researchers also have interest in 3-D bio-printing.

Pet dogs suffer from a common knee condition that might be treated with the techniques, for example.

Meanwhile the horse racing industry is also curious, not surprising given the enormous investments top horses require.

PHOTOS: JOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFF 3-D bio-printers, like this one at the University of Otago School of Medicine, Christchurch, are now commercially available.