Custom-made artificial bones fabricated by an inkjet printing technology

Although current treatment modalities for bone defects include autograft, allograft, and artificial bone substitutes, they have problems concerning invasiveness, safety, and performance, respectively, calling for development of innovative artificial bones with better handling and mechanical strength, better control of external and internal structures, and better biodegradability and osteo-inductive ability. We propose to fabricate novel high performance artificial bones using 3D inkjet printer based on the image data of bone deformity. Shape precisely fitting to the deformity, internal structure facilitating cell invasion, and good biodegradability are achieved. Bioactive substances can be incorporated by printing in combination with drug delivery system to induce bone regeneration at desired locations. These osteo-inductive artificial bones will help efficiently treat various types of bone deformity in a less invasive and safe manner.