I-Corps: Load bearing ceramic bone scaffolds produced via 3D printing

I-Corps项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发一种骨修复和替代支架的新解决方案。仅在美国，5-10%的骨折修复经历延迟愈合或不愈合，这意味着近80万患者遭受再手术或并发症。3D打印将使这种制造骨支架的方法变得实惠和可行。提出的技术提供3D打印，可定制的陶瓷骨支架，具有生物相容性，并模仿天然骨的机械性能。使用3D打印作为一种经济实惠的制造工艺来制造新型支架，将为骨骼修复提供一种更容易获得和成功的方法。这个I-Corps项目是基于粉末制备技术的开发，该技术通过定制的粉末3D打印机生产可定制的骨支架。提出的技术解决了当前修复或替换骨损伤方法的主要问题。使用所提出的技术生产的支架的新特征包括损伤特定的几何形状、与天然骨一样高的强度、生物相容性陶瓷材料和高度可定制的性能。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is the development of a novel solution for bone repair and replacement scaffolds. In the United States alone, 5-10% of fracture repairs experience delayed healing or non-union, which means close to 800,000 patients suffer from reoperation or complications. 3D printing will make this method of creating bone scaffolds affordable and attainable. The proposed technology provides 3D printed, customizable, ceramic bone scaffolds that are biocompatible and mimic the mechanical properties of native bone. Using 3D printing as an affordable manufacturing process to make the novel scaffold will provide a way for bone repairs to be more accessible and successful.This I-Corps project is based on the development of a powder preparation technique that produces customizable bone scaffolds via a custom-made powder-based 3D printer. The proposed technology addresses major issues with current methods of repairing or replacing bone injuries. Novel features of the scaffolds produced using the proposed technology include injury-specific geometry, strength as high as native bone, biocompatible ceramic material, and highly tailorable properties.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.