Irish scientists discover way to 'print' new bones to help those with deformities and catastrophic injuries
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BY PAT FLANAGAN
Irish scientists have developed a revolutionary new process which allows them to make human bones using 3D printing.
The new process could eliminate the need for bone grafts and could even make new joints to replace hips and knees and offers hope to those with large and complex bone defects or who have suffered catastrophic injuries.
In the future the process will allow bones to be repaired or even replaced cutting out the need for bone grafts. Scientists at the Science Foundation Ireland-funded AMBER materials science centre at Dublin’s Trinity College have developed the new method of making bone material. This is done using 3D bioprinting technology to construct cartilage templates in the shape of the missing bones.
When this is done the made up bone and stem cells is implanted under the skin, where it matures in time into fully functioning replacement bone with its own blood vessels.
The team, headed by Professor Daniel Kelly hope that in the future the development could lead to numerous applications in areas like head, jaw and spinal surgery. READ MORE