Printed Bones

This report from NewScientist (8 October 2016) is interesting:

… an ink has been developed that can be used to 3D print bone implants in any size, shape and form – from leg bones to entire skulls. And because the implants are flexible, they can be cut into the perfect shape in the operating theatre.

The ink is made from hydroxyapatite, a mineral found naturally in bone, and PLGA, a polymer that binds the mineral particles together and gives the implants their elasticity. …

Once in place, the implants are rapidly infiltrated by blood vessels and gradually turn into natural bone (Science Translational Medicine, doi.org/bq8r). This offers a cheap and versatile way to repair an injury.

Turns into bone? Wow. I wonder what limitations there might be. Could they print a middle ear and have it work?

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About Hue White

Former BBS operator; software engineer; cat lackey.

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