Researchers at the University of Waterloo have engineered a new 3D‑printable nanocomposite bone graft material designed to precisely match patient anatomy.
Led by Dr. Thomas Willet from the Department of Systems Design Engineering, the team aims to deliver safer and more effective bone repairs through custom‑designed implants.
Traditional bone repair often involves metal implants and donated tissue, which may require exact matching or lead to infection and rejection. To address these challenges, the team developed a graft material that combines structural strength with biological compatibility. The result is a nanocomposite made from a triglyceride-like polymer infused with nanoscale hydroxyapatite—mimicking both the composition and mechanics of human bone.
Custom‑printed grafts can be produced using patient CT scans, allowing surgeons to recreate complex bone geometry accurately. These grafts can include built‑in anchoring features, reducing or potentially eliminating the need for metal screws and plates.
The researchers are now focused on refining their material to function both in the human body and through the 3D-printing process. “The challenge now is optimization,” Elizabeth Diederichs (PhD in progress) explained. “It’s a balancing act between all the different qualities we need.”
Diederichs’s work focuses on getting the material to be durable enough to withstand the pressures of the human body, while also being capable of slowly degrading to allow for new bone growth.
“I think it’s very exciting,” Diederichs said. “We could have a material that you can fully customize to a patient, and that will have a big impact on the success of bone grafts and surgical outcomes.”
Go to Reshaping bone repair with 3D printing for the full story.