Development of a realistic analogue bone

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This project aims to produce synthetic bone with mechanical properties matching that of real bone to support the testing and validation stages of orthopaedic implant design. This would make device testing more accessible, cost-effective and potentially improve implant success rates. This aim will be achieved in several stages: In the long-term, the aim is to create bone with porosities, properties and cell geometries similar that of real bone; at present, we aim to demonstrate the proof of concept using simplified 3D printed porous structures that deform in a similar manner to real cancellous bone. To accomplish this, images of animal cancellous bone with be extracted from an existing CT library in the Bioengineering Sciences Research Group and used to create a digital model of cancellous bone. Simulated compression tests will be performed using properties derived from literature to determine the target response of the bone analogue. Design-search methods will be implemented to systematically assess a database of porous analogue bone structures (classified by key structural features), and to obtain structures that match the global properties of bone. Analogue bone materials with the resulting porous structure design with be additively manufactured and subjected to mechanical tests to compare/verify computational results. Finally, verified analogue bone materials will be implemented as a test platform for implanted orthopaedic medical devices (i.e. partial or total knee joint replacements). The project has the potential to significantly improve the design, development, and certification of orthopaedic medical devices, and will seek to realise this impact by disseminating outcomes to device manufacturers and industry organisations that set policies and standards for testing and certification.