Waterloo Engineering researchers have developed a new material that shares many of the same traits as bone tissue. Using it in 3D printers provides a new and innovative treatment option for patients undergoing major skeletal repair and reconstructive surgery.
The team, led by Dr. Thomas Willett, a professor in systems design engineering, has created a biopolymer nanocomposite material that can be 3D-printed into a customized bone graft engineered to meet a patient’s unique needs.
Surgical reconstruction in these cases currently involves metal implants and donated bone. Surgeons request a specific size and type from tissue banks to best match their patient’s anatomy, but it’s rarely a perfect fit. A recipient’s body may also reject donated bone.
“We’ve created a material that is strong, 3D-printable and compatible with a potential to become new bone tissue.” said lead researcher Willett. “With this technology, we can achieve the patient-specific geometry needed to reconstruct bone defects with greater success.”
The material combines nanoparticles that mimic the composition of bone minerals and help strengthen the material. Ultimately, the team hopes bone cells will grow and replace biopolymer nanocomposite with new bone. The body will then excrete the biopolymer nanocomposite.
Go to Building new bones with help from 3D printing for the full story.