Background
Currently available fracture fixation devices that were originally developed for healthy bone are often not effective for patients with osteoporosis. Because if the bone is weak due to osteoporosis in older patients or the fracture is particularly severe then these screws may loosen or pull-out from osteoporotic bone. This may re-injure the patient and require them to undergo a repeat surgery, which is not only a poor outcome for an individual but also an additional burden to the healthcare system. The development of new screws is a lengthy and expensive process due to the manufacture of the complex geometry involved.
Technology Overview
Conventional bone screws have a solid construction. Human bones, however, have varied shapes and sizes and also differ in density among individuals. Additionally, human bones are hollow and contain bone cells. A solid bone screw easily triggers rejection and prolongs recovery. To address this, 3d printed cannulated screw can be introduced to create customized bone screws.
Applications & Benefits
These products feature 3d structures and have porous biomimetic implants for applications in osteology and dentistry treatments such as osteoporosis, ligament repair, and dental implants. Depending on individual requirements, biomedical ceramic or bone-growth-inducing drugs can be added to the product, further accelerating bone recovery.
Implants need to be designed for each patient. With traditional technologies, this customization is extremely expensive and time-consuming. 3D printing, on the other hand, can produce small runs of custom parts―even just one part at a time―at no extra cost and without any setup time or tooling. Additive manufacturing excels at highly customized applications, and the human body is about as custom as it gets!
There’s also the unmatched production speed of 3D printing when compared to traditional technologies. Nowhere is this more important than when it comes to treating patients. The long timelines of traditional manufacturing often mean that patients are left waiting to begin their treatment over a long time. At best, this causes the patient inconvenience and additional discomfort. At worst, these delays can cause patients’ conditions to become more serious or even fatal.
Nowadays, custom medical devices, implants and tools are more accessible than ever because of 3d printing. With the continuous development of 3d printing technology, there would be more applications to be explored ahead. Eplus3D provides affordable AM system to print your design. Welcome to discuss with us for more information.
