Scientists develop new 3D printed materials designed to treat refractory bone damage

　　

For some time, we have been hearing that implantable "scaffolding" materials can help heal bone injuries. Scientists have now developed a new class of materials specifically designed for difficult to treat osteochondral injuries.

The long bones of our arms and legs have a smooth, thin cartilage at each end that gradually transitions to the underlying hard bone. This dual density combination, known as osteochondral tissue, can cause conditions such as disabling arthritis when it is cracked or otherwise damaged. Although this kind of injury often plagues athletes, almost anyone can do this.

For more uniform types of bone damage, various scientific institutions have created the aforementioned "scaffolding." The three-dimensional material implanted in the injury site essentially provides a habitat for the bone cells to help them move in from adjacent bones and begin to multiply. In the end, they are simply replaced by materials, and instead it is dissolved harmlessly.

　　 Now researchers from the University of Maryland and Rice University have developed a material that is suitable for treating osteochondral tissue. This material is printed in 3D and is partially composed of a soft polymer with a cartilage-like consistency that transitions to a bone-like hard ceramic. The pore network in both substances causes cartilage and bone cells to migrate into them, and these pores also allow blood vessels to penetrate.

Scientists are investigating ways to print implants that accurately adapt to each patient's specific injury. In the end, they hope that this technology can improve people's lives.

"After athletes are particularly affected by these injuries, but they may affect everyone," said Sean Bittner, a graduate student in bioengineering at Rice University. “I think this will be a powerful tool to help people with common sports injuries.”

Bittner and Rice University bioengineer Antonios Mikos are leading the study, which was described in a paper published this week in the journal Acta Biomaterialia.