MASS PRODUCTION OF 3D PRINTED BONES ON THE HORIZON

Japanese Researchers Envisage a "Bone Bank" to Store 3D Printed Bones

Researchers at the University of Tokyo think we could create a stockpile of 3D printed bones sometime in the near future. The researchers have been working alongside colleagues at NEXT21 to develop new 3D printing techniques to create bone, and believe a dedicated “bone bank” would be of great use to surgeons and patients alike. Currently, there is a growing demand for 3D printed implants and it would save doctors time if they could obtain biocompatible implants ahead of surgery.

The Japanese teams are working on a technique that uses “bone ink” for the filament which is made from calcium phosphate, the same material that our bones are comprised from. Each day up to several thousand bones could be produced using this bone ink. The techniques used by the researchers save considerable amounts of energy, money and time when compared with existing methods as the bone ink need only be heated to between 100 and 200 degrees celsius and not the 800 degrees celsius currently needed using sintering techniques. The University of Tokyo team believe we could see the mass production of 3D printed bones within the next three years, which could completely change the landscape of bone implants and grafts. We will keep you informed on any new updates regarding this story.