Unlike traditional islet transplants — which are expensive, donor-limited, and prone to rejection — these 3D-printed islets are designed for better integration into the body. Implanted under the skin, the new islets respond to glucose fluctuations and begin producing insulin in real time, offering a more natural and automated regulation process.

Early tests revealed that the printed islets remained viable and fully functional for at least three weeks, a major improvement over past transplantation methods that often fail due to tissue damage and immune response.