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Description
The treatment of bone defects is challenging due to the lack of control of the geometry and mechanical properties of current bone replacement methods. One of the main problems with current bone grafting techniques is the inability to specify the shape of the graft to match the injury site and accelerate healing. This often leads to a rejection of the implant, reoperation or removal and overall long recovery time. The ability to tailor these two aspects of a scaffold and replicating native bone properties has the potential to revolutionize treatment options available for bone trauma associated with injury, congenital deformities and disease. Advances in the field of bone tissue engineering over the past few decades offer promising new treatment alternatives to replace the current golden standard of autografting using biocompatible scaffold materials and autologous cells. This approach combined with recent advances in three‐ dimensional (3D) printing technologies can allow the generation of artificial bone grafts with custom, patient‐ specific architecture. In this study, a custom-built binder jetting printer is used to produce complex shape ceramic scaffolds strong enough to mimic bone. A novel powder coating procedure made it possible to print nano sized powders known to provide superior mechanical strength. With this printer and powder coating procedure, a cubic sample with a density of 70% and strength of 186 MPa was produced. Additionally, a complex scaffold shape with designed porosity of 40% and strength of 28 MPa was also achieved. The results of this study show the potential of ceramic materials, along with 3D printing, as a more effective bone substitute.
