Bioresorbable composites in regenerative medicine. The use of 3D modeling techniques in the production of personalized implants
Topic(s) : Industrial applications
Co-authors :
Jacek ANDRZEJEWSKI (POLAND), Marcin WATROBINSKI , Marek WYLEZOL (POLAND), Malgorzata MUZALEWSKAAbstract :
In the case of materials currently used in bone tissue reconstruction procedures, it is possible to use a traditional technique where a bone implant is permanently grafted to the area of the bone defect. In this case, titanium implants predominate, including those made using additive techniques by powder sintering. Currently, products made using the FDM technique from polymers with biocompatible properties, such as PMMA or PEEK, are gaining popularity [1–4]. The advantage of using them is their significantly lower weight, relatively simple manufacturing method, and low price compared to titanium implants. The second category of bone implants are bioresorbable products, which, like some types of surgical sutures, are resorbed in the patient's body, enabling the growth of natural bone tissue. In this category of materials, most manufacturing techniques use mixtures based on PLA or PCL, and these are almost always composites containing additives in the form of bone-forming minerals, such as calcium triphosphate, hydroxyapatite, or mixtures of the two [5–7].
As part of the project carried out in cooperation with medical centers, clinical tests were performed to assess the effectiveness of the FDM printing technique in the production of bioresorbable implants. For all experiments performed, the shape of the final product was developed based on the results from computed tomography examination [8,9]. The developed geometry mapping of the region of regenerated bone was then modified to take into account the method of stabilizing the implant in the bone tissue [10, 11]. The finished 3D models were produced using the FDM technique (Fig. 1). Depending on the requirements, a polymer system based on PLDLA copolymer with the addition of 10% or 20% hydroxyapatite (HAp) or a mixture of hydroxyapatite with calcium triphosphate (TCP) was used. The selection of the system depended on the area of the regenerated bone and the size of the implant being introduced.
The results of the tests include three regenerative procedures; examples include surgery on the frontal part of the skull, mandible, and upper jaw. The shape of the defect and the implant generated using the software are presented below (see Fig. 2).
As part of the project carried out in cooperation with medical centers, clinical tests were performed to assess the effectiveness of the FDM printing technique in the production of bioresorbable implants. For all experiments performed, the shape of the final product was developed based on the results from computed tomography examination [8,9]. The developed geometry mapping of the region of regenerated bone was then modified to take into account the method of stabilizing the implant in the bone tissue [10, 11]. The finished 3D models were produced using the FDM technique (Fig. 1). Depending on the requirements, a polymer system based on PLDLA copolymer with the addition of 10% or 20% hydroxyapatite (HAp) or a mixture of hydroxyapatite with calcium triphosphate (TCP) was used. The selection of the system depended on the area of the regenerated bone and the size of the implant being introduced.
The results of the tests include three regenerative procedures; examples include surgery on the frontal part of the skull, mandible, and upper jaw. The shape of the defect and the implant generated using the software are presented below (see Fig. 2).