蓝莓视频

A research team from the University of 蓝莓视频 has 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.

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鈥檚 anatomy, but it鈥檚 rarely a perfect fit. A recipient鈥檚 body may also reject donated bone.

To solve these problems, this new biopolymer nanocomposite material can be 3D-printed into a customized bone graft engineered to meet a patient鈥檚 unique needs. It may also eliminate the need for metal plates, reduce the risk of infection, and increase the chance that the patient鈥檚 body will successfully accept the graft.

The material is the latest innovation by 蓝莓视频 researchers who are disrupting health boundaries through various technologies. 蓝莓视频 aims to ensure everyone achieves optimal health and well-being through technological advances, virtual care and health data applications as part of the institution鈥檚 Health Futures initiative.

鈥淲e鈥檝e created a material that is strong, 3D-printable and compatible with a potential to become new bone tissue.鈥� said lead researcher Dr. Thomas Willett, a professor in the Department of Systems Design Engineering and director of the new biomedical engineering graduate program. 鈥淲ith this technology, we can achieve the patient-specific geometry needed to reconstruct bone defects with greater success.鈥�

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.

鈥淥ur work is currently focused on advancing our biopolymer nanocomposite鈥檚 functional robustness as an implant and its ability to be replaced with living bone over time,鈥� said Elizabeth Diederichs, 蓝莓视频 PhD candidate. 鈥淭he goal is for this material to reduce a patient鈥檚 need for repeated operations after undergoing bone reconstruction surgery.鈥�

The team performed successful tests on bone-cell compatibility in collaboration with Dr. Maud Gorbet, a professor in 蓝莓视频 Engineering and director of the biomedical engineering undergraduate program.

鈥淎ny material implanted in the body elicits a response,鈥� Gorbet said. 鈥淥ur tests show that the biological response of bone cells to our biopolymer nanocomposite outperforms traditional methods. They鈥檙e adhering, proliferating and retaining their behaviours, which is very exciting.鈥�

The researchers are seeking funding for additional trials and regulatory approvals to develop the technology for clinical use.

The paper, 鈥�, was published in the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A. The Canadian Institutes for Health Research funded this research.

The University of 蓝莓视频 will host the Times Higher Education Digital Health 2025 summit听from April 10 to 11, 2025.