Dec 15, 2014 | By Simon

With approximately 1 million hip and knee replacement procedures performed in the United States alone, it's no surprise that the need for state-of-the-art replacement materials have been increasingly moving into the 3D printing sector due to the low cost of manufacturing and custom design capabilities.

While existing coatings used for 3D printed titanium replacements are able to create a more natural-feeling surface for the surrounding tissues in the hip and knee areas, the material properties still lack the rigidity seen in natural bone and can result in longer recovery times before a patient is able to walk again.

Aiming to find a solution for this problem are researchers from Washington State University's School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.

Professor Susmita Bose

Led by professor Susmita Bose, who has already been a leader in 3D printing bone materials and improved materials for bone implants for over a decade, the researchers have just received a five-year, $1.8 million National Institutes of Health grant to further explore and ultimately, find a solution to improve upon how 3D printed bone implants integrate into biological structures.

In preliminary studies, Bose and her team of researchers from WSU, which is about a 4 and a half hour drive from Seattle, Washington, used nanomaterials to make coatings that are stronger and more biocompatible than materials that are currently being used.

Further developing these nanomaterials, which is what the team plans on using the grant money for, will consist of mixing ions such as magnesium, zinc and calcium into the existing coatings. The team will also explore adding small amounts of antibiotics and other medications to the formula to help speed up healing time with localized administration to the operated areas.

Since being introduced, 3D printed bones have been favored by surgeons due to their weight, density and surface texture...along with their low cost of manufacturing and ease of customization. Additionally, the porous texture seen in natural bones can easily be replicated to create a surface for surrounding tissues to bond to, rather than smooth surfaces seen in other manufacturing methods.

The 3D printed bone technology, along with the study in creating better coating solutions, will be especially beneficial for young bone implant patients who typically need revision surgeries 10-15 years later due to bone growth.

"This work could have a profound effect for younger patients and for those who undergo revision surgeries where bone volume is compromised,'' said Bose.

"A few extra years for these hip or knee replacements can make a tremendous difference,'' added research team member Amit Bandyopadhyay.

While the study is focused on hip and knee replacement surgeries using 3D printed bones, the findings will surely aid in advancing other uses of 3D printing in bone replacement surgeries, such as 3D printed skulls and jaw bones.


Posted in 3D Printing Applications

 

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