We can now print 3D Print Bones, yes you heard me right!!.
The 3D printing revolution has grown enormously. Now, it is capable of printing bones, yes you heard me right, 3D printing can replace bones by printing new ones. This intensely reduces the risk of infection while performing an autologous bone graft. 3D printing bone is made possible by using a biocompatible material called calcium phosphate. This biocompatible calcium phosphate behaves like a paste at room temperature however, when used under a gelatin bath or other solution, due to a chemical reaction the biomaterial paste solidifies into a porous nanocrystal matrix which has similar structural integrity of native bone tissue. Therefore, an off-the-shelf 3D printer, Hyrel 3D Engine HR was fitted with a bespoke small needle of size 0.2-0.8mm that ejected the biomaterial ink into a 37ºC gelatin bath to build a new bone fragment. This research was conducted for 2 years at UNSW by Roohani, biochemist Kristopher Kilian and other colleges. Calcium phosphate is ideal as a biomaterial due to its osteoconductive and in certain cases osteoinductive features meaning due to the release of calcium ions, phosphorus ions and the surface porosity of the material, the regulation of cell/protein adhesion and growth of bone mineral is aided by the biomaterial. Like any other material, calcium phosphate too has its limitations when it comes to ion release, stability, solubility and mechanical strength. However, this is overcome by combining different kinds of calcium phosphate to emphasize on certain
strengths of the material according to the kind of medical situation, it’s like making alloys from different materials for specific purposes. For example, when a bone fragment on the skull needs replacement, it has a complex structure that cannot be replaced using a autogenous bone graft instead, due to the high accuracy printing of a 3D printer, it can be used to create complex structures therefore making it easier and simpler to replace the bone fragment. In conclusion, bone replacement would become a much more simple, less risky and portable process in the future due to 3D printing technology, thereby helping a lot of people around the world. Citations, https://spectrum.ieee.org/3d-printing-bone-directly-into-the-body https://biomaterialsres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40824-018-0149-3 https://www.xilloc.com/ct-bone/
